The fishing village of Haje in Gunsan was deserted a few years ago. Due to its proximity to a U.S military base ammunition depot, the Ministry of National Defense forcibly expropriated Haje, relocated 600 households and more than 2000 residents, and demolished all of their homes. The villagers, who had been living peacefully for generations digging clams in the Sura Tidal Flats, were forced to leave their beloved hometown. Jinhyeon is the last resident in Haje. Although the government has requested her to leave, she wants to remain in her hometown. There is also another resident in Haje; a 600-year-old Celtis Sinensis Tree (Chinese Hackberry). This tree is rooted deep into the ground right next to the iron fence of the U.S. military base and has been protecting the empty village. By protecting this tree, the “Guardian of the Village”, interested parties hope to prevent Haje from being annexed by the U.S. military base so that its residents may one day return to live there again.