Yeosu World Islands Expo Opens on the 5th... Curtain Rises on the World’s First Islands Expo

Over 100 Journalists Attend Press Day Event
Eight Exhibition Halls, Ocean Ecology Island,
Safety and Transportation Measures Unveiled
Thirty Countries and Three International Organizations Participating
Expo Runs for 61 Days Until November 4

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo has entered full-scale preparations to welcome visitors, unveiling its major exhibition facilities and experiential programs to the press ahead of the opening on September 5.

The Organizing Committee of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo held a "Press Day" event on the morning of the 1st at the main event venue's press center in Jinmo District, Dolsan, Yeosu, where the committee provided an update on the expo preparations and introduced the main features and content. Around 100 journalists from news outlets across the country attended the event.

Kim Jongki, Secretary General of the Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee, is explaining the preparation status and key contents of the event to reporters nationwide on the 1st. Photo by Shim Jinseok

Press Day included the official expo briefing, an on-site Q&A session, a roundtable with the organizing committee, and a tour of the main exhibition halls. Following the "Preview Day" rehearsal on July 29, which involved about 5,000 local residents, this event served as an opportunity to inspect actual operational conditions for the expo.

On this day, the organizing committee offered explanations on the eight exhibition halls set up at the main event site, as well as other major facilities, safety plans, and transportation measures. They highlighted the implementation of safety and operational plans to address typhoons, heavy rain, and heatwaves, as well as entry and traffic management strategies.

At the Gaedo and Geomundo sub-venues, experiential programs that utilize the islands’ natural environments, such as SseomSseom Camping and Bireonggil Trekking, will be operated. Additional benefits will be provided, such as a 50% discount on ferry fares and the "Half-Price Island Tour," allowing visitors to explore various islands in the Yeosu area.

The expo’s exhibition content emphasizes presenting the past, present, and future of islands in one setting. The landmark theme island exhibition hall will feature a 360-degree media facade and the media art show "Tree of Life," depicting the transformation of islands. The Ocean Ecology Island will present experiential exhibitions on ecological crises and the resilience of nature.

At the Future Island, displays will highlight the future vision of islands integrated with advanced technology, including urban air mobility (UAM) and real hydrogen vessels. The Culture Island will introduce stories of islands depicted in popular culture through interactive content, featuring elements such as Seopyeonje, MapleStory, and "Mamma Mia."

The expo will be joined by local governments from 30 countries, including Greece, Japan, Ecuador, Tanzania, and Palau, as well as three international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The organizing committee aims to attract a total of 3 million visitors during the expo period.

Kim Jongki, Secretary General of the organizing committee, said, "There are now only four days left until the opening. In the time remaining, we will meticulously review facilities, content, safety, and transportation to successfully and safely deliver the world's first-ever islands expo."

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo will open on the 5th and run for 61 days until November 4, taking place across Jinmo District, Dolsan and the Yeosu World Expo site, as well as Gaedo and Geomundo. The opening ceremony will feature a themed performance based on the Geomundo "Shinjikki" mermaid legend, a lighting drone show, and performances by popular music artists.

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