World's First International Island Expo Opens in Yeosu, with 30 Countries Participating for 61 Days

Beyond the Eight Exhibition Halls of Jinmo District to Gaedo and Geumodo

Experience-Based Programs Like Camping, Trekking, and Island Cuisine... Targeting 3 Million Visitors

The "2026 Yeosu World Island Expo," the world's first government-approved international event dedicated solely to islands, has opened in Yeosu, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do. The expo goes beyond simply introducing the culture and future of islands from various countries inside exhibition halls; it also connects actual islands such as Gaedo and Geumodo to the event venue, operating tourism, experiential, and academic programs for a total of 61 days.

Five days ago, key attendees took a commemorative photo to celebrate the opening at the main event venue of the Jimo District, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu City, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. Organizing Committee for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo

The Organizing Committee for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo announced on September 6 that it held the official opening ceremony on September 5 at the main event venue in Jimo District, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu, and that the expo will continue until November 4. Under the theme "Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future," 30 countries are participating, with the goal of attracting three million domestic and international visitors. The total area of the expo site is 184,302 square meters.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of the Interior and Safety Ho-joong Yoon, Min Hyeong-bae, Mayor of Metropolitan Gwangju-Jeollanamdo Special City, Seo Younghak, Mayor of Yeosu, as well as more than 5,000 citizens and visitors. The event featured a musical inspired by the mermaid legend "Sinjikki" passed down in Geomundo, Yeosu, along with a drone show symbolizing Yeosu's 365 islands.

Eight exhibition zones have been established in Jimo District, the main venue, including the Theme Island, Marine Ecology Island, Future Island, Culture Island, Treasure Island, International Exchange Island, and Dining & Market Islands. The Theme Island uses a large media facade to highlight the value and history of islands; Marine Ecology Island focuses on climate change and marine ecosystems; Future Island explores future mobility and technological transformation in island regions. The International Exchange Island introduces island cultures from participating countries and regions.

The expo experience extends beyond Jimo District. Gaedo and Geumodo serve as sub-venues, offering programs where visitors can stay, walk, and eat on the islands. On Gaedo, visitors can enjoy island camping, marine leisure activities, and art exhibitions, while Geumodo offers trekking on the Bireong-gil Trail, stamp tours, camping, and history exhibitions. Additional programs like the "Island Healing Table," which features meals using local island ingredients, and the "One Night, Three Meals on the Island" package, which includes accommodation and meals, are also available.

During the expo, fares for the six ferry routes connecting Gaedo and Geumodo will be subsidized by 50%. Tourists who use accommodation or participate in experiential programs on the islands will also be eligible for a reimbursement of up to 100,000 won per person in local currency or similar, based on their spending. This reflects the Organizing Committee's emphasis not only on the number of expo visitors, but also on increasing actual tourism spending on the islands as a result of the event.

A performance themed around islands and the sea is taking place at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, held five days ago in Jinmo District, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu City, Gwangju, Jeonnam. Organizing Committee for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo

Performances and international exchange programs will also continue throughout the expo period. Performance troupes from 11 local governments and 16 countries will stage a total of 133 performances, while the Yeosu World Expo Center will host academic and exchange events such as the International Island Forum, focusing on island sustainability, the climate crisis, and the maritime industry. Yeosu City will also host the South Coast International Yacht Competition, along with music, exhibition, and nighttime tourism events at various sites across Yeosu in conjunction with the expo.

A total of 7.03 billion won has been invested in this expo, including 640 million won of government funding. Although there were initial concerns regarding construction progress, transportation, and capacity to accommodate tourists, the Organizing Committee invited about 20,000 citizens last month for a "Preview Day," conducting a full-scale trial run and checking 14 areas, including transportation, shuttle bus operation, safety, performances, and experiential programs.

On the first day, some pointed out that exhibition content at the main venue felt sparse. Some visitors noted that it took less than an hour to explore the main pavilions and expressed concerns about the lack of core content. Whether the Organizing Committee can integrate the main exhibition venue, real island experiences, and connected events across Yeosu into a unified stay-type tourism content will be a key factor in achieving the target of three million visitors and determining the expo's overall success.

The expo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will be closed for a day on October 6 for facility inspection and maintenance.

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