Ms. Jiyoung Jang ⓒ Hyeseon Do

Professor. Young Rae Choi, Florida International University

It has been twenty years since I first met Ms. JANG Jiyoung. We met at a small workshop on tidal flat conservation, after which we shared a long drive back to Seoul. At the time, I had no idea that she was already a legend in the nationwide movement to stop the Saemangeum reclamation project. Nevertheless, those hours of conversation were more than enough for me to discover someone with such passion and deep care for tidal flats and the people whose lives depend on them.

Meeting of Partners on the Conservation of the Yellow Sea Intertidal and Associated Coastal Wetlands, Yancheng, China 2023

Soon after the Supreme Court ruled that construction of the Saemangeum seawall could continue, Jiyoung and her colleagues founded the Eco-Horizon Institute, a new organization that sought not only the protection of nature for its own sake but also the empowerment of both nature and people. In a country that has achieved remarkable economic growth yet through a highly selective and therefore uneven path, this was a bold vision. In places where a sense of abandonment and exclusion drives intense and persistent pressure for development (not surprisingly, these are often the places where tidal flats remain best preserved), Jiyoung and her team diligently supported communities, enabling people to understand the true value of their nature under threat and to take ownership of decisions about their own future.

ROK Intertidal Wetland Habitat Restoration Education Course 2024

Being a humble person, Jiyoung rarely put herself at the forefront. She had zero interest in building her own reputation, so her name may not appear publicly as often as it should. Nevertheless, her presence is unmistakable in every milestone that has brought South Korea’s tidal flats to where they are today. In the efforts to designate tidal flats as protected areas, she spent countless hours with members of fishing communities and local government officials, listening to their concerns, aspirations, and hopes. To help them recognize that their tidal flats are a precious nature worth protecting rather than sacrificing for development, she organized study trips to other tidal flats in South Korea and abroad. In the efforts to strengthen the management of already established protected areas, she created opportunities for managers to learn from one another, while remaining eager to learn herself. She also mentored young conservationists, helping them build knowledge, experience, confidence, and pride in their work for tidal flats. From Suncheon, Sinan, Muan, and Gochang to Seocheon, Garorim Bay, and many other places, I see the seeds she planted taking root and growing.

From Aphaedo Tidal Flats EAAFP Flyway Network Site [EAAF146] & UNESCO World Heritage Site ⓒ Hyeseon Do

We will soon celebrate the official inscription of four additional tidal flats as part of the Getbol World Heritage site. With more than half now protected as UNESCO World Heritage, South Korea’s tidal flats have come a long way over the past two decades. As someone who has witnessed this journey, I sincerely believe that it would not have been possible without Jiyoung. I remain deeply saddened that we have lost such a powerful yet exceedingly gentle and kind person who was an anchor of getbol conservation. Yet I also remain hopeful that her legacy will live on through those who remember her and cherish what she has done.

Ms. Jiyoung Jang in Maehyang-ri, Hwaseong Tidal Flats ⓒ Hyeseon Do

Tribute to Jiyoung: https://jiyoungjang.muchloved.com