Women in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, are joining the centuries-old haenyeo diving tradition as older work culture and changing lives draw some back to the sea. Jin So-hee, who left long hours and low pay in city jobs, became a haenyeo at 25 and later learned freediving and scuba techniques to cope with the physical strain. The tradition remains tied to female independence, but the number of haenyeo is falling and warmer seas are making the work more precarious.
Korean haenyeo Jin So-hee hanging up her rubber wetsuit to dry after diving in the coastal town of Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 12. AFP-Yonhap
GEOJE, South Gyeongsang Province — Jin So-hee had to suffer to join the centuries-old tradition of Korean women diving to harvest seafood. But she is now part of a new generation to earn a place in the waves.
The nation's rapid economic transformation drew workers away from being haenyeo, the so-called "sea women" who dive without oxygen tanks to catch what they can.
But Korea's all-consuming work culture is now pushing some back towards a meaningful — and punishing — way to make a living.
