2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, International Event Hosting 'Finally Confirmed'

Dolsan Jinmo District and Islands Area from July 17 to August 16, 2026

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] The ‘2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo’ promoted by Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, has been approved as an international event after passing the Ministry of Strategy and Finance’s International Event Review Committee on the 9th.

Jeollanam-do and Yeosu City submitted the international event hosting plan for the ‘2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo’ to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance last December to hold it as an international event.

In February this year, it was selected as a feasibility study target project for international events by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and after a four-month feasibility study was conducted by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), the feasibility and appropriateness of hosting the international event were recognized, and final approval was notified by the Ministry’s International Event Review Committee on the 9th.

In particular, the economic feasibility (B/C) was analyzed to be 4.05, greatly exceeding the standard value of 1, surprising everyone.

Jeollanam-do and Yeosu City plan to accelerate preparations for the event by establishing an organizing committee, developing content, promoting domestically and internationally, and setting detailed annual execution plans.

Mayor Kwon Oh-bong of Yeosu said, “The Yeosu World Islands Expo is the world’s first festival where countries with islands gather to share the history and culture of islands, and we will make it an opportunity for Yeosu City to rise as a marine tourism and leisure city in the world.” He added, “We will form a ‘Pan-Citizen Preparatory Committee’ to unite the strength of all citizens and prepare without any setbacks for the successful hosting of the expo.”

Meanwhile, the ‘2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo’ will be held from July 17 to August 16, 2026, at Dolsan Jinmoji District and throughout Yeosu City under the theme ‘Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future.’ It is expected to attract more than 2 million visitors from 30 countries, create over 6,000 jobs, and generate an economic ripple effect exceeding 400 billion KRW.

Seven permanent exhibition halls will be operated, including a theme pavilion conveying the message of islands, sub-pavilions showing the future, culture, and ecology of islands, a joint pavilion, and a marine bridge museum. Special days, land-sea bridge tours, healing island tours, and other side events will also be held.

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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