Yeosu City and Jeonnam Province Officially Launch the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo

On the 24th, at the VIP room of Jeonnam Provincial Office, Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok and Yeosu Mayor Kwon Oh-bong are taking a commemorative photo after signing a joint hosting business agreement for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Yeosu City has taken the first full-fledged step to obtain international event approval for the ‘2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo,’ which will prepare a blueprint for the future development of islands.

On the 24th, the city announced that it signed a joint hosting business agreement with Jeollanam-do at the VIP room of Jeonnam Provincial Office to successfully promote the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.

At the signing ceremony, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok, Yeosu Mayor Kwon Oh-bong, and Provincial Assembly member Choi Byung-yong attended and resolved to join forces in establishing a cooperation and support system for the successful hosting of the expo.

The agreement includes ▲joint hosting of the Islands Expo, ▲joint efforts to secure national and provincial funding, ▲personnel support for the expo, and ▲establishment of a mutual cooperation system.

Mayor Kwon Oh-bong said, “The agreement with Jeonnam Province will serve as a catalyst for the successful hosting of the Islands Expo, which will bring about Yeosu’s second leap forward,” adding, “I hope the Islands Expo will be a forum to share the infinite value and potential of islands and to discuss solutions to the difficulties faced by islands.”

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok also said, “We will actively cooperate to attract and successfully host the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, which will be an innovative opportunity for the development of islands not only in Yeosu but throughout Jeonnam.”

Starting with this business agreement, the city plans to begin full-scale preparations for the international event, including visits to government ministries. In addition, together with Jeonnam Province, they will submit the international event application to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and then to the Ministry of Economy and Finance by the end of the year, aiming to receive final approval for the international event review in July next year.

The ‘2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo’ is planned to be held for one month from July 17, 2026, at the Dolsan Jinmo district under the theme “Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future.”

It is an international event expected to attract 2 million visitors, generating a nationwide production effect of 400 billion KRW and creating about 6,000 jobs, among other economic ripple effects.

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