Choonhwa Ko, 67, has been free diving for 50 years in the waters of Jeju Island, S Korea. She can even now hold her breath for over two minutes and go 30 feet down in search of abalone, squid, and conch. It’s a dangerous job. Two Haenyeo died yesterday at sea in the area where I am shooting. Still the Haenyeo are a lively cheerful bunch where a sense of destiny prevails.#SouthKorea #Haenyeo
I’d have to see the hanja (Chinese characters) to be 100% sure, but Choonhwa’s name most likely means “Spring Flower.” And a testament to Eternal Spring is just what she looks like.