Memories of 1950 and the Altteureu Fields Remaining Along 1.8 km of Seotal Oreum

West-facing horseshoe crater beside ‘Altteureu’, on the northern outer rim of Songaksan

Seotal Oreum is located at 1618 Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, with the reference coordinates 33.206491° N and 126.281217° E. Visit Jeju describes this site as one of a group of small horseshoe-shaped craters lying side by side on the northern outer rim of the tuff ring of Songaksan, and records that the crater of Seotal Oreum opens to the west.

‘Al Oreum’ is the name given to the small, low hills surrounding the outer rim of Songaksan. As this oreum is attached to Altteureu, the name of the village near the airfield, it came to be called ‘Seotal Oreum.’ Dongal Oreum and Jungang Al Oreum are also located nearby; each has a horseshoe-shaped crater opening toward the north-northeast or north, forming part of the same volcanic landform group.

July 16 and August 20, 1950: the former ammunition depot that became the Seotal Oreum massacre site

This is not a place to climb casually for the natural scenery alone; it is a Jeju 4·3 historical site that calls for a respectful attitude of remembrance. The historical-site materials of the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation classify the Seotal Oreum massacre site as a 4·3 historical site in Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si.

Seogwipo City’s barrier-free tourism guide introduces the memorial monument and memorial pavilion area for the victims of the Seotal Oreum preventive detention as a place commemorating civilians killed on July 16, 1950. The English-language materials from Visit Jeju state that the scene of approximately 250 people held under preventive detention being massacred at the Seotal Oreum ammunition depot site was discovered by local residents. It is therefore appropriate to avoid loud conversations and playful photography in front of the signs and memorial monument.

A name entwined with the remains of 132 people: continuing to Baekjoilsonjimyō

A visit to the Seotal Oreum massacre site gains clearer historical context when connected with the nearby Baekjoilsonjimyō. According to materials from the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation, Baekjoilsonjimyō is located in Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, and is a collective burial ground for civilians who were killed at the Seotal Oreum massacre site on August 20, 1950.

‘Baekjoilson’ means that the ancestors of 132 different people died at the same place and time, causing their remains to become mixed together, and that all of their descendants consequently became one family line. Therefore, rather than turning back after seeing only the memorial monument, including Baekjoilsonjimyō in the route allows visitors to reflect on the recovery and burial of the victims’ remains after the killings.

1.8 km from the Seotal Oreum parking lot: how to walk around the memorial monument

According to Seogwipo City’s guide, the barrier-free route is 1.8 km in total. It begins at the Seotal Oreum parking lot and the hangar intersection, continues to the memorial monument for the victims of preventive detention, and returns to the starting point. After passing the information board and statue, walk straight in the direction of the memorial monument and turn back at the end of the Memorial Path; this makes it relatively easy not to lose the way.

The recommended time for the route is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, including time to read the signs and look around the memorial monument. To go farther toward the hangar, visitors must follow a side path consisting of gravel and dirt, so prepare sneakers or shoes with firm soles and pay particular attention to the trail conditions immediately after rain.

How the fields look different when visited together with the three Altteureu Airfield hangars

A route connected with the hangars associated with Altteureu Airfield continues around the Seotal Oreum parking lot. Seogwipo City’s barrier-free guide marks Hangars 1, 2, and 3 as separate points and warns that some sections around the hangars have severely deteriorated surfaces.

The land between the oreums is used as farmland, and some areas contain Japanese black pine plantations and communal cemeteries. Visit Jeju explains that parts of the western boundary of Seotal Oreum have been damaged by scoria extraction, exposing reddish volcanic soil. It is therefore important not to enter slopes or cultivated fields outside the access routes, but to observe them from the designated paths.

One accessible parking space and a 7 m ramp: sections to know before using a wheelchair

The Seotal Oreum parking lot has marked parking spaces and accessible parking spaces, and Seogwipo City’s barrier-free tourism information lists parking as available. The public restroom at Seotal Oreum Peace Park has a ramp 7 m long, 2 m wide, and with a gradient of 6–8 degrees; the doorway is listed as 82 cm wide.

However, there are stairs near the memorial monument, while the route toward the hangar includes a mixture of gravel, dirt paths, and severely deteriorated surfaces, so it is difficult to consider the entire 1.8 km route equally accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Wheelchair users should plan around the parking lot, restroom, and level sections near the entrance, and even with an accompanying person, it is safer to avoid entering the side path toward the hangar.

• Parking: Seotal Oreum parking lot and accessible parking spaces available
• Restroom: Seotal Oreum Peace Park public restroom
• Points requiring caution: stairs around the memorial monument; gravel and dirt paths toward the hangar

Visitor guidelines for a free memorial space with no time restrictions

Seogwipo City’s tourism guide lists Seotal Oreum’s operating hours as ‘not applicable’ and its admission fee as ‘none.’ In other words, this is an outdoor space that can be visited without an admission ticket or advance reservation. However, after sunset, lighting, trail conditions, and the ability to read the information boards may deteriorate, so it is best to plan to complete the 1.8 km route during daylight.

No representative telephone number or standalone official website for Seotal Oreum could be verified, so none is provided. Instead, check the latest site conditions, roadworks, and weather alerts through Visit Jeju and Seogwipo City tourism information on the day of departure. On days with strong wind or rain, it is better to prioritize a windproof jacket and slip-resistant shoes over an umbrella, even though this is a low oreum.

• Operating hours: No time restriction specified
• Closing days: No separate information provided
• Admission fee: Free
• Reservations: No separate reservation information provided
• Recommended visiting time: Daytime, 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes

Why traveling by car is practical from Moseulpo and Daejeong

Seotal Oreum is located in the fields of Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, making access by rental car or taxi the simplest option. Express Bus 151, which travels from Jeju Bus Terminal and Jeju Airport toward Moseulpo and Unjin Port, is described as a route running through Daejeong High School, Hamo 3-ri Nonghyup, Daejeong-eup Office, and Hamo Sports Park before reaching Unjin Port. However, official materials do not confirm a stop or walking time directly in front of the Seotal Oreum memorial monument.

If using public transportation only, the safer approach is to travel by express bus to the Daejeong area and then connect to a taxi. In particular, if combining Seotal Oreum, the Altteureu Airfield hangars, and Baekjoilsonjimyō on the same day, the walking sections and farm roads increase. It is therefore advisable to secure round-trip transportation first and set a firm time by which to return to the parking lot before sunset.