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Why Jeju Island Is in the News
In August 2025, Jeju Island emerged in global news due to a record-breaking influx of over 7 million tourists this year. With this popularity, authorities introduced South Korea’s first multilingual behavioural guidelines to promote respectful tourism following a surge in visitor-related disruptions. This step is not just a reaction to numbers but an effort to preserve Jeju’s unique landscape and local culture, making it a significant case study for aspirants of civil services and geography competitions.
About Jeju Island
- Jeju Island (Jejudo), the largest island in South Korea, is located 130 km off the southern coast in the Korea Strait, forming the entire Jeju Province.
- It is spread over approximately 1,848 sq. km. area.
- The total population of the island is near about 678,000 (2022).
- Jeju Island is an ancient volcanic island, formed roughly 2 million years ago through eruptions from what is today Hallasan—Korea’s highest mountain at 1,950 m—standing right at its centre.
- Hallasan is a dormant volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It hosts rare flora and fauna, with a crater lake, Baengnokdam, at its summit.
- The island contains over 360 parasitic cones (local term: “oreum”) and extensive lava tubes—natural underground tunnels formed by flowing lava, now major tourist attractions and natural habitats.
- Jeju is surrounded by gently sloping coastlines, black sand beaches, waterfalls, peculiar basalt rock formations, and small offshore islets.
- The island’s gotjawal forest is a unique ecological zone growing on ‘a’a lava, crucial for groundwater and biodiversity, and considered an internationally important wetland.
- Humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers—a major reason for its tourist appeal.
FAQs
Q1. Where is Jeju Island located, and what makes it unique?
Jeju Island is situated 130 km off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korea Strait. It is unique due to its volcanic origin, Hallasan (the highest mountain in South Korea), hundreds of volcanic cones, lava tubes, and rich biodiversity.
Q2. Why has Jeju Island been in the news recently?
Jeju has seen a historic surge in tourists (>7 million in 2025), prompting the government to introduce Korea’s first multilingual behavioural guidelines for visitors to protect its ecology and local peace.
Q3. What are the major geographical features of Jeju Island?
Key features include Hallasan volcano, over 360 oreum (parasitic cones), gotjawal forest, extensive lava tubes, scenic coastlines, and unique flora and fauna.
Q4. What climate does Jeju Island have?
Jeju experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters, hot, humid summers, and four distinct seasons—a rare trait in Korea that boosts its appeal as a tourist destination.
Q5. What are Jeju’s new tourist guidelines?
The new rules focus on curbing littering, jaywalking, public drunkenness, and disrespect towards public spaces. Repeat violations can now result in fines of up to 200,000 won.
