[Opinion] Stone Fences in Jeju-do

Devastation wrought by typhoon `Maemi` is almost unbelievable to many of people who live away from the ground zero. Crashed cranes, blown-out containers, cars on rooftops and ships wrecked beside houses – these scenes remind people of Hollywood blockbusters `Twister` and `Speed 2.` Maemi ripped through Jeju-do at the speed of 60m/second, which is the highest figure since the country began to measure speeds of wind in 1904. It is equal to 216km/hour, a full-traveling speed of F-1 racing car.

Despite the gale winds, however, stone fences in Jeju-do mostly remained intact, which is testament to wisdom and craftsmanship of our ancestors. Except some fences facing the sea, most stone fences in mountains and fields were hardly damaged. Jeju-do`s stone fences look loosely-built, but they in fact are tightly intertwined and forgo chemical glue, known as `fences dancing to the beat of wind.` Foreign architects marvel at the dynamics of stone fences in Jeju-do, which make a great spring landscape with rape flowers.

Fences in Jeju-do are used for various purposes, in fact. They protect houses from strong winds and draw lines between fields. They first used to stop people from encroaching into others` land. After fences were set up, not only the sneaking-in disappeared but also wild animals and insects were prevented. Stone fences built along tombs set the border between this world and after world. People in Jeju, who have gone through many ups and downs, learned to set themselves free from worries about life and death, building tombs and fences in the midst of fields.

Stone fences, made of basalt, easily let air in and out and are bent in shape to avoid direct contact with wind. This is why fences in Jeju-do resist gale winds that even high concrete walls cannot endure. It is like that trees are rooted out by standing face to face with wind while grasses lower their heads until the wind passes away. There are old proverbs such as `flexibility wins strong force` and `fish does not live in pure water.` Then, stone fences in Jeju-do seems to teach a lesson to this society, where conflicts and confrontations prevail.

Oh Myung-chul, Editorial Writer, oscar@donga.com