Seeking 'Sustainable Island Development Strategies'... Experts from Korea, China, and Japan Gathered Together

Korea Island Promotion Agency Hosts the 2nd Korea Island Forum International Academic Conference

Examining National Population Policies and Discussing Responses and Challenges in the Era of Regional Extinction

Director Odongho: "We Will Deve

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Korea Island Development Institute (KIDI), the control tower for domestic island policy, hosted the “Korea Island Forum” on “Island Day” (August 8), bringing together representatives from Korea, China, and Japan to explore sustainable island development strategies.

The Korea Island Development Institute (KIDI, President Oh Dongho) announced on the 11th that it held the “2nd Korea Island Forum International Academic Conference” at the Saemangeum Convention Center (GSCO) in Gunsan, Jeonbuk.

At the Saemangeum Convention Center, the “3rd Island Day” commemorative event (from August 8 to 14) is being held under the theme “Islands, Elevating the Republic of Korea.”

The forum was the second Korea Island Forum following the first held on May 25 and marked the first international academic conference.

About 200 participants attended the forum, including officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other related ministries, local governments, the National Assembly, affiliated organizations, academic experts, and island residents.

In response to the resurgence of COVID-19, quarantine rules were strictly followed and strengthened, and the event was also broadcast live online via the YouTube channel “KIDI TV.”

The forum, held under the theme “Sustainable Island Development Strategies in the Era of Local Extinction,” consisted of international academic seminars (I and II), a roundtable, and general and special sessions.

The international academic seminars were divided into two themes: Session I, “Population Structure Changes and Local Extinction in Korea, China, and Japan,” and Session II, “Current Status and Development Policies of Island (Islet) Areas.”

In the first session (I), presenters included Lee Jeyeon, Research Fellow at the Korea Institute of Local Administration; Chen Yinghua, Professor at Jiangsu University, China; and Jung Hyunsook, Professor at Korea National Open University.

In the second session (II), presenters were Kim Namhee, Head of Policy Research at KIDI; Chen An, Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Tsuyoshi Miki, Research Director at the Japan Island Center.

Notably, the three countries?Korea, China, and Japan?examined the characteristics of their national population policies and the realities of local extinction, discussing sustainable island development strategies and challenges, drawing significant attention.

The roundtable included officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea Forest Service, related ministries, metropolitan governments, academia, specialized research institutions, and island residents, engaging in lively discussions.

In the general session, various academic societies such as the Korean Island Society, Korean Urban Administration Society, Korean Forest Administration Society, and Korean Public Property Society participated, presenting and discussing a wide range of topics through general paper presentations.

The special session featured a joint session organized by the Korean Urban Administration Society and the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, along with regional research institute sessions and a young scholars session (contest).

In the young scholars session hosted by the Korean Island Society, high school, university, and graduate students presented ideas and papers on topics such as island policy, population issues, residential conditions, and the era of local extinction, attracting attention. Outstanding presenters were awarded the Korea Island Development Institute President’s Award.

Oh Dongho, President of KIDI, stated, “Our government designated ‘Island Day’ as a national commemorative day in 2018, the first in the world,” adding, “This was the first to recognize the value of islands and to signal the start of ‘sustainable island development.’”

He continued, “The keywords for islands in the 21st century are ‘future’ and ‘hope,’ and ‘Island Day’ is not just a festival or commemorative day unique to Korea,” adding, “We will continue to develop the Korea Island Forum International Academic Conference held annually on ‘Island Day’ into the ‘world’s best global island forum’ on islands.”

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