Jeju Island Women Divers' Association in South Korea: A Source of Social Capital

Abstract

Community-based voluntary organizations have been described as playing significant roles in promoting social capital. This paper looks at the issue from the perspective of a group of Korean women known as jamsu—professional women divers—and Jamsuhoe a voluntary organization whose name can be translated as the Association of Women Divers on Jeju Island. These women, who primarily dive for seaweed and shellfish, have been significant social and economic actors in community development on the island. Coleman's social capital theory is used to evaluate the role of Jamsuhoe as a source of social capital, including values and norms, authority relations, neighborhood connections, and civic engagement. Factors leading to the loss of social capital created by Jamsuhoe are also discussed. Finally, the major implications of civic engagement and voluntary organizations are reviewed.