A Trail Of Friendship: Jeju’s ASEAN–Korea Olle Connects People, Cultures And Coastlines
By LInda Khoo
SEOGWIPO (Jeju Island, South Korea), Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Strolling along Jeju Olle Trail Route 8, visitors step into a living gallery of friendship between ASEAN and South Korea. The 19.6-kilometre route along southern Jeju weaves together nature, heritage and people-to-people ties, with each step reflecting the region’s deepening connection.
Renamed the ASEAN–Korea Olle Trail in November 2024 to mark 35 years of ASEAN–South Korea dialogue relations, the route, nestled within the wider Jeju Olle Trail network of 27 coastal and inland paths spanning 437 kilometres, offers travellers a journey through Jeju’s dramatic landscapes and evolving regional ties.
Enhancing its appeal, commemorative benches representing the ten ASEAN member states line the trail, forming a pathway that highlights shared heritage and the growing warmth of ASEAN–Korea relations.
In the Jeju dialect, “Olle” refers to a narrow footpath leading from a home to the main street, a reference to the trail’s humble village origins before it grew into one of Jeju’s signature attractions.
Led by the ASEAN–Korea Centre (AKC), an intergovernmental organisation promoting economic and socio-cultural cooperation between ASEAN member states and South Korea, in collaboration with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Jeju Olle Foundation, the trail reflects the region’s commitment to cultural exchange and people-to-people connectivity.
The benches, arranged alphabetically, bear an “AK” logo using the international two-letter code and are crafted from super concrete to withstand Jeju’s coastal conditions. Each stop is marked by a Ganse, the trail’s iconic “slow idler” figure, which provides information on the corresponding ASEAN country.
Currently, the ASEAN–Korea Olle features benches representing the 10 ASEAN member states. A bench for Timor-Leste is expected to be installed at a later stage, pending the country’s accession to the AKC.
All benches are positioned at culturally or historically significant locations along the route.
Set against the sweeping panorama of Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Malaysia’s bench offers one of the most striking viewpoints along the route, while the Myanmar bench sits beside the ancient Hwanhae Jangseong coastal fortress wall, where Jeju’s volcanic stones once stood guard against seaborne threats.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Malaysian Ambassador to South Korea Datuk Mohd Zamruni Khalid said the Olle Trail reflects the deepening ASEAN–South Korea partnership.
“This strong relationship is mirrored in the trail’s pathway, connecting nature with people and enhancing friendship between the regions through trade, investment and people-to-people connectivity,” he told Bernama.
Mohd Zamruni said the initiative encourages Korean and international travellers to explore the rich cultures of Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia.
“By providing accessible and engaging information along the trail, the initiative aims to stimulate tourism and strengthen cultural exchange between the regions,” he added.
Mohd Zamruni said the ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, supported by cultural features such as QR codes linking to information about ASEAN countries and a stamp-collecting activity at the beginning, middle and end of the route.
The stamps, which often depict iconic national landmarks — such as Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers, or Singapore’s Merlion — serve as memorable cultural touchpoints for visitors, he said.
Located nearby, the Jeju ASEAN Hall further enriches the experience through its ASEAN Culture and Book Corner, to which Malaysia has contributed books and display items.
“The hall also hosts exhibitions showcasing handicrafts and traditional clothing from each participating country, further deepening the cultural experience for visitors,” Mohd Zamruni said.
Meanwhile, AKC Secretary-General Kim Jae-shin described the ASEAN–Korea Olle as a symbolic landmark where friendship between South Korea and ASEAN comes alive within Jeju’s natural landscape.
“We hope the installation (benches) will welcome Korean and ASEAN visitors while reaffirming the cultural solidarity and mutual understanding that connect our regions.
“I hope the ASEAN–Korea Olle and its 10 ASEAN benches will serve as a pathway of friendship, bringing ASEAN and Korea closer together,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jeju Olle Foundation Chief Executive Officer Ahn Eun-joo noted a growing number of ASEAN travellers walking the route over the past year, particularly women in their 30s and 40s from Malaysia and Singapore, aiming to complete 100 kilometres across Jeju Olle routes.
“The ASEAN–Korea Olle Trail will welcome even more visitors as a path of friendship connecting Jeju and ASEAN, and a path of exchange linking people to people.
“I hope these benches will serve as symbols of that journey — and as warm resting places that bridge Jeju and ASEAN,” she said.
-- BERNAMA
