Korean 'haenyeo' diver honored by UN for work in food systems, rural life
When Sung Jung-hee slips into the cold waters off Korea’s eastern coast, she wears no oxygen tank — just a mask, a weight belt and four decades of practical instincts from making her living harvesting the ocean floor by hand. That lifetime of hard labor and leadership earned international recognition earlier this week when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations named Sung one…
Sung Jung-hee, a revered Korean haenyeo diver, has been honored by the United Nations for her vital work in food systems and rural life. With four decades of experience harvesting the ocean floor by hand, Sung has earned international recognition as one of 100 women chosen for their contributions to these fields. The selection, made by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, comes during the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes Sung alongside visionary leaders, scientists, and community advocates from around the globe.
Among the nearly 600 nominees, Sung is the sole honoree from Korea. Beyond her daily dives, Sung has dedicated years to enhancing working conditions, increasing welfare support for fellow divers, and raising awareness of women's roles in coastal industries. As head of the Guryongpo fishing community and president of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Haenyeo Association, Sung exemplifies the profound impact of traditional maritime practices on sustainable food systems and rural life.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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