VISIT JEJU

Amid farmers’ fields in the Songaksan area are some rather odd structures. The area’s large plateau is perfect for farmland and pastures. In fact, Altteureu means “wide garden below”. However, it was also seen by the Japanese military as a strategic place to build an airfield for its military objectives in the region.

And so this farmland, which would otherwise be life-giving, was turned into an instrument of war and death. From the 1920s, the residents of nearby Moseulpo were ordered by the Japanese military to begin construction on an airfield there. Reinforced concrete aircraft hangars, too, were strategically placed around the 660,000 square meter airfield. This was then expanded during the Pacific War to 3 million square meters. From here, Japanese forces launched attacks on China and sent off squadrons of Kamikaze pilots to defend southern Japan.

The place is otherwise idyllic, with its gorgeous views of  Hyeongjaeseom Islets, Sanbangsan Mountain, and Hallasan Mountain to the north. It is a typical Jeju scene… peaceful and calm. And yet built underneath was one of the Japanese occupations largest military encampments and cave systems in Jeju. It is made up of a 1.2-kilometer-long network of tunnels with six entrances, all engineered to hide crucial military facilities underground and protect them from air raids by Allied Forces during the Pacific War.

These facilities included a command HQ, soldiers' barracks, fuel storage, aircraft repair facilities, communication rooms, and more. This site is of significant historical importance in demonstrating the realities of war. In terms of its educational value, this site is designated Cultural Property No. 310.

Address : 316 Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si

Carved into an otherwise pristine coastal cliff at Songaksan Mountain are Japanese military caves built in 1945 — the tail end of their Pacific War campaign. It was part of their final attempt to defend against approaching Allied troops, a so-called “Operation No. 7” to hide and protect its military equipment, including small submarines and anti-aircraft guns.

There are 15 man-made caves carved into the rock in a variety of shapes. The longest is 57.3 meters. These are now designated Cultural Property No. 313 and serve as a sad reminder of the damage and death which war inflicts on current — and future — generations.

Address : 195-2 Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si

Built by the Japanese when they faced defeat at the end of their occupation of Korea and the Pacific War, this 200-square-meter Y-shaped concrete military facility has 15 ventilation shafts and is believed to have been an electrical power plant or munitions storage. In good repair, until recently it was used by farmers to store sweet potatoes. It is Registered Cultural Property No. 314.

Address : 3415 Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si

This museum has an exhibition hall with real items and documents from the Japanese occupation and war effort. On site is also the Gama Oreum Japanese Underground Fortress (registered Cultural Property No. 308 in December 2006.) The total length of this man-made cafe is more than 2 kilometers with a three-floor structure. There is also a theater which seats 1,200 people and shows video testimony of individuals involved in the war and occupation, a poignant reminder of the the misery of war and indisputable evidence that there are no winners or losers, only victims.