Jeju female divers celebrate fishing culture

Around 300 female divers on South Korea’s Jeju Island joined a parade on Saturday to mark the annual “Day of Female Divers,” promoting their fishing culture registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Wearing traditional cotton swimwear and goggles, they sang songs wishing for a good catch as spectators waved and bought seafood such as turban shells and abalone.

The tradition remains active, but faces challenges as nearly 60 percent of divers are over 70. Leaders said they are proud of their heritage and are working to train younger successors. Japan, which has a similar tradition, is facing the same issue.