'7 years on Jeju': Broadcaster Hong Hye-geol warns against walking alone in isolated spots

Hong Hye-geol, a physician and broadcaster who has lived on Jeju Island for seven years, is urging people not to walk alone through isolated areas on the island.

On Monday, Hong posted on his social media account that "Jeju is a truly beautiful place, but you should never take it lightly."

"If you ride a bicycle and wander into every corner, you often pass through deserted, secluded paths in villages without having to go deep into Hallasan," he wrote, adding that "just a short distance off the oreum volcanic hills or the Olle trails, you can find yourself somewhere where no one would hear you even if you screamed."

"Even in broad daylight, even on paved roads, I don't recommend wandering around alone — and that goes for sturdy men as well as women," he added.

Hong's warning has drawn widespread attention amid a string of disappearance cases on Jeju Island, including the case involving a woman surnamed Jang, known as the Jang Mi-ran case.

Reactions online were divided. Some users expressed agreement, saying they avoid going out after dark, while others criticized the post for "making Jeju look repulsive."

One user lamented, "How did Jeju end up like this?"

Responding to the criticism, Hong said his love for Jeju was evident from his track record, and clarified that "the point of the post is to be careful — not that Jeju is dangerous." He also warned that Jeju's terrain is "flat and gentle, so you can wander at ease and suddenly find yourself in an isolated spot," adding that "even setting aside crime, you could be attacked by stray dogs."

Hong said he found recent news about disappearances on Jeju "deeply saddening," but expressed confidence that "Jeju is such a charming place that people's love for it will soon return." He added that he apologized to anyone hurt by his post and pledged to "work harder for a beautiful Jeju that is a wonderful place to live."