Yeosu Islands Expo Opening in One Week... Yoon Hojung: "Immediate Response to Weather Changes"

Final On-Site Inspection for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo
Event Opens on September 5 and Runs Through November 4
Comprehensive Checks on Facilities, Traffic, and Safety Measures

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, visited Yeosu in Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan Unified City on August 28 and conducted a final inspection of the preparations for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.

This on-site inspection, conducted one week before the opening, was the third following those in April and June. The inspection focused on meticulously checking the entirety of the expo operations, including event venue facilities, visitor movement routes, traffic, and safety measures.

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, inspecting the preparation status for the Yeosu World Island Expo at the Yeosu Youth Marine Education Center last April. Courtesy of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

Minister Yoon personally inspected key exhibition and experience spaces within the main venue—including the Theme Island, Future Island, Culture Island, and International Island—to check preparations for welcoming visitors.

In particular, at places expected to attract large crowds, such as the Island Theme Zone and Open Stage, he examined movement paths and the risk of congestion. He also instructed organizers to thoroughly establish on-site response systems to prevent safety accidents.

The Minister closely reviewed safety management measures to prepare for unforeseen situations such as heat waves, severe weather conditions, fires, or medical emergencies.

Referring to the possibility of typhoons and heavy rain in September and October, Minister Yoon stressed, "Please ensure thorough facility inspections and advance preparations so that you can respond immediately to weather changes." He also reviewed the coordination system between the police, fire services, Yeosu City, and the organizing committee, urging all related agencies to ensure their roles can be activated without delay if needed.

The inspection of visitor amenities also continued. Minister Yoon directly checked the arrangement and access routes of convenience facilities, such as restrooms, shaded rest areas, integrated information centers, and restaurants, emphasizing the need for meticulous preparations so that visitors can enjoy the expo comfortably. He also ordered stricter, ongoing monitoring and supervision to prevent complaints related to unfair pricing during the event period.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has been operating a joint inspection team with local governments and related organizations to examine the areas of facilities, transportation, and disaster safety. Any deficiencies identified during this round of inspections are planned to be addressed before the opening.

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, under the theme “Islands: Linking the Sea and the Future,” will be held in Yeosu from September 5 to November 4. This international event, where visitors can experience the culture, ecology, and daily life of islands both domestic and overseas and rediscover the future value of islands, is expected to serve as a venue to explore sustainable development directions for islands.

Minister Yoon commented, “With just one week to go before the opening, please make sure not to overlook even the smallest risk factors and prepare thoroughly until the end,” adding, “I hope this expo will introduce the beauty and potential of our islands to the world and invigorate the region with new energy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.