CONCLUSION

“Free International City”

Jeju Island is undergoing change, quietly but steadily. Like blossoming flowers, structures designed by world-class architects have emerged along the 258 kilometers of the island’s coastline, with attention given to harmonizing architecture with Jeju’s natural environment. Phoenix Island in Seogwipo is home to Club House Agora by the master of geometric architecture, Mario Botta, and Glass House and Genius Loci by Tadao Ando, who favors a minimalist style. Jun Itami’s Stone Art Gallery, Wind Art Gallery, Church of Sky, and Podo Hotel can be seen on other areas of the shore. The North London Collegiate School Jeju—part of the Jeju Global Education City, which is scheduled to begin classes in September—was also designed by Itami.

Jeju Global Education City is an ambitious project that local authorities are actively pursuing, along with the development of the local medicine and health care industry and several other grand initiatives. By 2015, plans call for the completion of 12 international schools, an English education center, and related facilities in an area of Seogwipo, a project that is designed to ultimately attract a population of 30,000. It has been confirmed that England’s North London Collegiate School and Canada’s Branksome Hall will be operating schools here.

Jeju is also fostering its MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions) industry with the aim of becoming one of the top 25 international convention destinations in the world. “Jeju Island has hosted the 2009 ASEAN Summit, the 2010 China-Japan-Korea Summit, and a dozen other summit-level meetings, along with a total of 147 international conferences last year,” noted governor Woo Keun-min.

The 2012 World Conservation Congress is also scheduled to be held on Jeju. Some 10,000 participants, including international environmental experts and political leaders, will meet to discuss the global environment.

“If you visit the Grand Canyon, you simply see an awesome natural spectacle, and only a chosen few can climb up and witness the beauty of Mt. Kilimanjaro,” said Woo. “But on Jeju Island, anyone can experience the culture and beauty of our picturesque natural setting and feel the beauty of nature in the lives of the local people.”

The provincial government’s slogan is “The World Comes to Jeju, and Jeju Goes to the World.” Indeed, Jeju is open to the world, with its many charms on offer.

Genius Loci, built on Seogwipo’s Phoenix Island by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando

Completed in 2009, Saeyeon Bridge was modeled on the teu, the traditional Jeju boat.