Keep Jeju's Ocean Alive: Protect Its Defenders

Jeju’s seas are a precious natural heritage recognized around the world. Yet they continue to face serious threats from marine debris. Each year, approximately 145,000 tons of marine waste enter Korea’s oceans, much of it originating from everyday waste generated on land. Carried by ocean currents, this debris eventually reaches Jeju’s coastline, where it harms marine ecosystems. In 2023 alone, approximately 10,700 tons of marine waste were collected from the waters around Jeju. Sustained cleanup efforts, along with the interest and support of people like you, are essential to keeping these waters clean and healthy.

On May 30, 2026, around 30 NGO volunteers gathered off the coast of Gimnyeong Port in Jeju. Supported through K-Green Foundation’s JIGU SSUDAM (Together Cleanup) campaign, they donned scuba gear and entered the water to remove abandoned fishing gear, plastics, and other marine debris that had accumulated on the seafloor. While much of this pollution remains hidden from view on land, beneath the surface it poses a serious threat to marine life. Carrying heavy equipment, the volunteers made repeated dives to carefully retrieve waste and bring it back to shore.

Most of these efforts are carried out on a voluntary basis. From scuba equipment that can cost thousands of dollars to air tank refills, transportation expenses, and meals, a significant portion of the costs is often covered by the volunteers themselves. Despite these challenges, they continue their work with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to protecting Jeju’s marine environment.

K-Green Foundation remains committed to creating the conditions that allow these ocean conservation volunteers to continue their work in the field. By helping reduce their financial and emotional burdens and by building support networks where they can learn from and connect with one another, we hope to enable more people to protect Jeju’s seas for years to come.

Your support and encouragement make this work possible. Together, we can help ensure a sustainable future for both Jeju’s seas and the dedicated people who work tirelessly to protect them.