{
  "id": 16555707,
  "title": "It takes a village: What a remote Korean island taught me about community",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/it-takes-a-village-what-a-remote-korean-island-taught-me-about",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T03:57:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20261026/it-takes-a-village-what-a-remote-korean-island-taught-me-about-community"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Korea, the rapid national development is in stark contrast to the quiet achievement of maintaining a remote village like Gwansa Island. This island, located off the southwestern coast of South Korea, is home to around 30 residents and is a world away from the bustling lifestyle that characterizes modern Korea.\n\nVisiting the island during the Chuseok holiday, I was struck not by the island's scarcity but by the remarkable achievements of its inhabitants. Unlike modern Korea, which boasts the famous \"Miracle on the Han River\" - a period of rapid technological and economic transformation that catapulted the nation to global prominence - Gwansa Island offers a different perspective on what it means to be a thriving community.\n\nLiving on the island without the conveniences of grocery or convenience stores, I was reminded of the adage that emphasizes the importance of community: \"It takes a village to raise a child.\" However, the island's residents have demonstrated that a village can thrive even without the modern amenities that define urban life. Their history stretches back generations, and they have built a life centered around the sea, the mountains, and the bonds of community that have been passed down through the ages.",
  "summary": "There’s an undeniable contrast between Korea’s national development and the quieter achievement of sustaining a remote village. During Chuseok, I had the opportunity to visit Gwansa Island, a tiny island off the southwestern coast. With a population of approximately 30 residents, the island is far removed from the fast-paced lifestyle that so often defines modern Korea. There are no grocery…",
  "key_points": [
    "Gwansa Island, South Korea, home to about 30 residents",
    "Island lacks modern conveniences like grocery stores",
    "Community thrives through sea, mountains, and age-old bonds"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}