 Korea introduced a unique system in the 1970s to preserve folk traditions ( including handicraft , arts , folk songs , folk dances , theatre , traditional food preparation techniques , etc . ) . This was triggered by a movement called New Community , aiming to modernize life in the countryside . In an attempt to get rid of old superstitions , the movement advocated cutting down the old Zelkova trees often found at village entrances , as they were believed to be ' protectors ' of the village according to tradition . In 1971 , the songs of the haenyo , or " sea women " of Jeju Island were declared provincial intangible cultural properties . 
