
Based on the successful response to last year's pilot project, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has officially launched the "Jeju Tamnaneun Nongcation" program as a full-fledged initiative this year. This win-win program allows participants to assist with farm work in the morning and enjoy stay-type tourism in the afternoon. Starting with the first schedule for Honam University students on June 24, Jeju plans to sequentially attract more than 1,000 university students and office workers from across the country. The goal is to simultaneously address the labor shortage in rural areas and expand local consumption within the province. "Jeju Tamnaneun Nongcation" is a win-win financial support program that allows people from outside Jeju to stay on the island for a short period, experience the local farming environment, and provide much-needed labor to farms. In return, participants are given free time in the afternoon to enjoy tourism and relaxation. On June 24, the first official day of the program this year, 73 university students from the Honam University General Club Association began assisting local farms by harvesting seasonal crops such as Chodang corn and pumpkins and helping organize workspaces. Jeju Province explained that, following Honam University, large-scale participation from students at key universities nationwide - including Pusan National University, Changwon National University, and Gyeongsang National University - has been confirmed for the summer vacation period. As an incentive for their support of local farms, program participants receive "Tamnaneun Jeon," a regional currency specific to Jeju. This measure is designed to ensure that the incentives are used as direct spending resources when participants visit restaurants, markets, or tourism content on the island in the afternoon. By doing so, the volunteer activity seamlessly leads to the revitalization of local businesses, establishing an organic virtuous cycle.
