Documentary World - Island, Facing the Northwest Wind ▶ What the Wind Brings to the Island, Poverty and Inconvenience The cold winter wind and the northwest wind always bring big waves. Because of the northwest wind that blows frequently, the regular ferry service to Uido is often canceled once a day. Other islands in the Sinan Archipelago, which are classified as inland seas, operate, but Uido, which is in the open sea, does not move even with small waves. A couple who left Mokpo for hospital treatment were only able to return home three days later due to a sudden storm warning. The net that had not been lifted for several days was completely covered with seaweed. This is because they were unable to go out to sea for several days due to frequent storms. The net covered with seaweed does not catch any fish. The wind has made Uido poor. It is a barren island with almost no farmland. Although the island is undeveloped due to inconvenient transportation, Mr. Park Hwa-jin and his wife and the residents of Uido did not leave the island. They say that if you are healthy, you can gain a lot. The seaweed, kelp, oysters, clams, and fish dried in the winter wind are popular with tourists. ▶ A gift from the wind, Pungseong Sand Dune and Tourists Uido’s landmark is Pungseong Sand Dune. The northwest wind also creates Pungseong Sand Dune. The northwest wind drags up sand from the northern coast and creates a huge sand dune. This sand dune, the largest in the East, is protected as a national park in recognition of its natural heritage value. Tourists visit Uido to see and enjoy this sand dune and sand beach. Providing food and lodging to tourists has become an important livelihood for Uido residents. The village, which is seriously aging, can now make money from tourism rather than hard work at sea. The sand blowing in with the strong northwest wind inevitably makes life uncomfortable. In winter, if you don’t close all the doors in your house, sand will come into your house. You can block the sand by setting up a barrier at the entrance to the village, but it’s no use. Sand also gets into your food. There’s even a saying in Uido that goes, “You have to eat a little sand to get married.” However, residents are worried about the decrease in sand. The sand not only provides silk clams that make a refreshing soup, but also attracts tourists. Residents and the national park are working together to prevent damage to the Pungseong Sand Dune and restore it to its former state. They have blocked access and installed observation equipment to check the movement of sand. Once, when a Japanese glass company tried to buy sand from Uido, residents came together to oppose it. ▶ Trash brought by the northwest wind Uido is hit by strong winds that form huge sand dunes, and the winds become even rougher in the winter. The beautiful sandy beach is quickly taken over by trash due to the strong northwest wind. Most of it is made in China, and is fishing gear used in fishing or aquaculture. Residents say that the sand flow is affected by the trash, damaging the Pungseong Sand Dune. Marine debris poses a huge threat to Uido residents who make a living from tourism. They are worried that people will think of it as a dirty trash beach rather than a clean sandy beach. Residents, local governments, and national parks are collecting trash, but they are having a hard time withstanding the power of the strong northwest wind. It is time for awareness of marine debris and government measures. Park Hwa-jin, who was born and has lived on Uido for 70 years, feels sorry for his hometown Uido, which has been changing little by little. He diligently cleans up trash today, hoping that the precious nature of Uido, which he has depended on for generations and raised his children without envy, will not be damaged any further. #Uido #PungseongsandArea #Kim