Why Did the Marines Go to Jeju's Garlic Fields? Cultivation Halved in 5 Years

Marine Corps soldiers from the 9th Brigade are lending a hand in the garlic fields of Jeju Island, helping farmers harvest the crop amidst a critical labor shortage. On a recent morning, about 20 soldiers, clad in red t-shirts, worked alongside farmers in a 5,404-square-meter field in Gwangryeong-ri, Aewol-eup. Farmer Lee Chun-ok, 71, directed the soldiers, who efficiently dug up and organized the garlic, a task that typically requires hired labor.

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Please pull out the garlic and place it neatly in the rows.

This initiative is part of a broader effort involving public institutions, agricultural cooperatives, and private organizations to deploy around 4,500 personnel to assist with garlic harvests from mid-May to early June. Priority is given to farms run by individuals over 70, those with disabilities, or national merit recipients. A Jeju Agricultural Cooperative official highlighted the critical timing, noting that this period is when rural areas experience the most acute labor scarcity, and garlic farmers, in particular, need intensive help within a short timeframe. Garlic is the only crop besides winter tangerines that receives such widespread labor support across the island.

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We will align the rows!

However, even with this substantial assistance, the decline in Jeju's garlic farming is undeniable. The cultivation area has been cut in half over the past five years, shrinking from 1,879 hectares in 2020 to an estimated 840 hectares this year, a stark contrast to the fluctuating but generally stable area for onions. This trend is largely attributed to the aging farming population finding the physically demanding nature of garlic cultivation unsustainable. Garlic farming requires manual labor for planting, weeding, harvesting, and packaging, with machinery use limited due to the rocky terrain characteristic of Jeju fields.

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Until now, I've hired 10 workers a day at 110,000 won each for harvesting. Although the soldiers are not skilled in farming, I am grateful they came to help.

Adding to the challenges, the income from garlic farming is dwindling. The purchase price for high-quality Jeju garlic has dropped to 3,800 won per kilogram this year, down from 4,300 won last year. Despite reduced production, consumption is falling even faster. Jeju garlic, primarily the 'Namdo' variety known for its strong flavor, is mainly used for kimchi. Declining kimchi consumption in Korea directly impacts Jeju's garlic farmers. Lee expressed her exhaustion from the relentless work and frustration over low prices due to imported garlic, stating her intention to quit farming after this year. In response, the Jeju provincial government is exploring ways to increase mechanization and promote the 'Jeju Mangang' brand to boost consumption.

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This is the busiest time for farm labor in rural areas, and garlic farms require intensive harvesting in a short period, exacerbating the labor shortage. Garlic is the only crop besides winter tangerines that receives island-wide labor assistance.