2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, KIEP Feasibility Study 'Launched'

Jeonnam Province and Yeosu City Express the Necessity and Appropriateness of the Island Expo

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Heo Seonsik] The feasibility study, which will be the decisive factor in approving the international event of the ‘2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo’ jointly hosted by Jeonnam Province and Yeosu City, has officially begun.

According to Yeosu City on the 13th, the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, commissioned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, visited Yeosu on the 8th to hold a kickoff briefing and conduct an on-site inspection for the feasibility study research project of the ‘Yeosu World Islands Expo’ international event.

The kickoff briefing was held at the Ramada Hotel, where Yeosu City explained the basic plan for the Islands Expo, followed by a Q&A session with the researchers.

Kim Jun, head of the Island Development Support Research Center at the Gwangju Jeonnam Research Institute, along with two other advisory committee members for the Islands Expo basic plan, also attended to emphasize the feasibility of hosting the international event and the justification for holding the Islands Expo in Yeosu.

Following this, the on-site inspection included a view from the Ramada Hotel Sky Lounge overlooking Dolsan Jinmo District, the main venue of the Islands Expo, and then a direct tour of the site by administrative boat, including areas around Gaedo where the sub-venue ‘Seomsalim Culture Center’ will be established.

A representative from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy stated, “It is important to present the justification for hosting the international event and strategies for attracting foreigners,” adding, “By touring Yeosu’s islands and bridges firsthand, we were able to understand the international significance and value of the islands and visually confirm the local community’s willingness to host the event.”

Yeosu Mayor Kwon Oh-bong, during a meeting with the inspection team, said, “Yeosu, which has 365 beautiful islands and various sea bridges, is the optimal location to host the Islands Expo as a city that successfully held the 2012 Yeosu Expo,” and requested, “I hope the Islands Expo, which will create a new turning point for sustainable island development and island tourism, will definitely be held as an international event.”

Meanwhile, the Yeosu World Islands Expo is planned to be held for one month from July 17, 2026, at Dolsan Jinmo District and surrounding islands under the theme ‘Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,’ with countries around the world that have islands participating in exhibitions, international academic events, cultural performances, island explorations, and other comprehensive expo activities.

The approval of the international event will be decided at the final review by the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s International Event Review Committee around July, based on the feasibility study results from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.

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