The Korea Times has published a report on a Korean company which is breathing new life into Hallimhandweavers, Jeju island’s wool knitwear brand founded in 1959 by Columban Missionary Fr (PJ) Patrick James McGlinchey.
In the 1950s, in the wake of the Korean War, Fr McGlinchey brought sheep to an impoverished Jeju island to help poor locals become self-sufficient.
Columban Sisters taught the local women Aran knitting, and the Korean women used these Aran patterns and skills to create high-quality handmade knitwear that became famous across Korea.
Fr McGlinchey looks on as Columban Sisters: Elizabeth Taffe, Rosarii McTigue and Brid Kenny cut a celebration cake. In 1963 Fr McGlinchey brought together the various socio-economic development projects which he had initiated on Jeju Island as the Isidore Development Association.
Hallimhandweavers at its height provided work for 1,300 people on Jeju island. However, it closed in 2005 due to the rise of cheap mass-produced clothing and synthetic fibres.
However, since 2021, Koh Sun-young, CEO of Jeju Island-based company Jaejusangwhoi, has successfully revived Hallimhandweavers.
Koh told The Korea Times that the quality and longevity of Hallimhandweavers’ original pieces convinced her that a brand with such an origin story holds timeless value.
“It perfectly aligned with Jaejusangwhoi’s mission as a company to unearth and develop the most valuable local content,” she said.
You can read the full article in The Korea Times here: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20251220/jeju-based-company-revives-islands-1st-knitwear-brand