Haenyeo Recognized as National Academic Heritage Beyond Jeju

"National Intangible Heritage Haenyeo" Selected as Excellent Academic Book

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on August 27 that the record book "National Intangible Heritage Haenyeo," published last year, has been selected for the Humanities category of the "Excellent Academic Books" by the National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea, this year.

Record Book 'National Intangible Heritage Haenyeo'/National Heritage Administration.

Haenyeo is a term that refers to female divers who harvest seafood in the sea without oxygen supply devices, including not only the divers themselves but also the physical techniques, knowledge of marine ecology, and community customs they have accumulated. Recognized for its historical value, academic significance, and community aspect, the culture was designated as a National Intangible Heritage in 2017. It is passed down as a community tradition, rather than being preserved by a specific holder or organization.

"National Intangible Heritage Haenyeo" is the first record to document this culture nationwide, rather than limiting it to Jeju. The book organizes, based on literature and field surveys, the definition and scope of Haenyeo, its origin and transmission of fishing culture, the nationwide spread of Jeju divers, the traditions and customs of harvesting, the transmission and diversity of Haenyeo culture in the southeastern, southwestern, and Jeju areas, the current state of succession, and future tasks.

Professor Ahn Mijeong of the International Maritime Affairs Research Institute at Korea Maritime & Ocean University, who authored the book, is a long-time researcher of Haenyeo and East Asian maritime culture. She has published works such as "Korean Female Divers, History and Culture of Haenyeo," and "Sea Fields of Jeju Divers."

The "Excellent Academic Books" selection and support program by the National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea, is conducted annually to promote research and publication activities in the field of basic academic disciplines in Korea. This year, 288 out of 2,193 academic books published between March 2025 and February 2026 were selected as excellent academic books, including 114 in the humanities, 104 in social sciences, and 70 in natural sciences. The National Academy of Sciences plans to distribute this book to university libraries nationwide by December, following a demand survey and procurement process at each university.

Separately from the publication of this record book, the Cultural Heritage Administration is also working on a video documentation project capturing the harvesting process of Haenyeo and the sites where this culture is transmitted. Production is scheduled to be completed by August next year, with plans to build a comprehensive record in connection with the book.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.