Connecting Air, Sea, and Land... Sokcho Port Firmly Establishes Itself as a Leading Cruise Hub

Sokcho Port Poised to Become South Korea's Leading Cruise Hub with Upcoming Dual Railway Openings
Wins 'Asia Outstanding Port Award' at International Cruise Summit, Proving Its Potential

Sokcho Port is solidifying its position as a key cruise hub. On November 6, Sokcho Port was awarded the Asia Outstanding Port Award at the '2025 Shanghai International Cruise Summit.'

Scenic Eclipse II entering Sokcho Port. Provided by Sokcho City

This event is the largest cruise industry conference in Asia, jointly organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government of China and global cruise operator Royal Caribbean International. Delegations from major cruise ports worldwide and global cruise lines participate to share industry insights and strengthen cooperative networks.

Sokcho Port received this award in recognition of its achievements in attracting more international cruise lines, improving port facilities, and revitalizing connections with local tourism.

Sokcho Port took its first step as a cruise port in May 2016 by hosting the 75,000-ton Costa Victoria, which brought around 1,900 tourists.

In its inaugural year, Sokcho Port hosted one cruise call, which increased to 11 in 2017. The number remained steady with three calls in 2018 and five in 2019.

Although 35 scheduled calls were canceled over three years from 2020 due to COVID-19, cruise tourism resumed with six calls in 2023, followed by four calls each in 2024 and 2025. Next year, six calls are scheduled, with four in 2027 and three in 2028.

Sokcho Port has become a preferred choice for cruise lines and tourists due to its robust infrastructure, appeal as a compact city, and diverse activities to attract cruise ships.

In September 2017, as cruise arrivals began in earnest, Sokcho Port invested 37.3 billion won to construct a new international cruise terminal, enabling the port to accommodate cruise ships over 100,000 tons. The terminal houses 12 relevant agencies that handle immigration and customs procedures.

The port's appeal as a compact city, offering natural attractions such as mountains, the sea, lakes, and hot springs within a small area, is also noteworthy.

Westerdam Ship Arriving at Sokcho Port. Provided by Sokcho City

Due to the nature of cruise tourism, sightseeing time in port cities is often limited. However, Sokcho Port allows tourists to visit multiple attractions in a short period after disembarkation. The area boasts excellent infrastructure, including Seoraksan Mountain, Yeongnangho Lake, Cheongchoho Lake, Abai Village, Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, beaches, as well as the nearby DMZ, Seongyojang, and the regions of Goseong, Yangyang, and Gangneung.

For these reasons, in July this year, Sokcho Port was designated as one of the 'Four Major International Landmark Cruise Ports' by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Diverse activities to attract cruise ships have also contributed to strengthening Sokcho Port's position.

Sokcho City, together with Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Gangwon Tourism Organization, has promoted cruise attraction activities by participating in various international events, conducting port sales, and organizing familiarization tours for cruise industry stakeholders.

In May last year, Sokcho participated in the 'Tokyo Cruise Port Sales' event in Japan, and in April this year, it attended the 'Seatrade Cruise Global 2025' expo in Miami, USA, actively promoting the port to international cruise lines.

At the end of last month, a four-day familiarization tour was successfully held for representatives of Mitsui Ocean Cruises, a Japanese cruise line. As a result, a call at Sokcho in 2027 was officially confirmed, marking a symbolic achievement by expanding new domestic routes for Japanese homeport cruises.

Efforts to raise local awareness of the cruise industry and promote mutual growth are also ongoing.

From September 6, a seven-day program was conducted in cooperation with Gangwon Province, the Provincial Council, and the Tourism Organization, involving inspection and experience teams linked to the Costa Serena. After the event, as many as 90% of participants gave positive feedback, reaffirming the potential of cruise tourism at Sokcho Port.

When the Westerdam, the last cruise ship of the year, docked on October 18, the 'Cruise Festa' was held, providing local small businesses with an opportunity to promote Sokcho's cuisine and specialties to domestic and international tourists, showcasing the region's unique flavors and culture.

The city plans to further expand cruise tourism marketing by leveraging the completion of the East-West High-Speed Railway in 2028, which, together with the nearby Yangyang International Airport, will establish a comprehensive transportation network connecting air, sea, and land.

Costa Serena entering Sokcho Port. Provided by Sokcho City

Additionally, with the potential for eased international tensions and improved inter-Korean relations, Sokcho Port is preparing to develop as a central hub connecting North Korea, Japan, and Russia.

Mayor Lee Byungseon of Sokcho stated, "Sokcho Port is evolving beyond a simple cruise port of call to become an international cruise hub. We will continue to develop differentiated content by linking our unique local tourism resources and actively promote them overseas. By establishing a fly-and-cruise base and preparing for the upcoming opening of two major railways, we aim to position Sokcho Port as South Korea's leading cruise hub, connecting air, sea, and land."

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