Yeosu World Islands Expo, "Welcoming Presidential Attention... Striving for a Successful Event"

President Lee Highlights "Government-Level Support" at Cabinet Meeting
Comprehensive Preparations Underway: Venue Construction, Exhibition Content, and Clean Environment

On April 14, the Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee welcomed President Lee Jae-myung's remark that "since the Yeosu World Islands Expo is the first international event to be held after the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, it would be good if the central government provides the necessary support." The committee pledged to carry out more thorough and meticulous preparations at the organizational level.

The Organizing Committee expressed its gratitude for President Lee's deep interest and stated that, in order to ensure the success of this international event, it will work closely with Jeonnam Province, Yeosu City, and other stakeholders to prepare even more carefully in the remaining period.

The organizing committee of the Yeosu World Islands Expo welcomed President Lee Jae-myung's remark that "Since the Yeosu World Islands Expo is the first international event to be held after the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, it would be desirable for the central government to provide the necessary support" and pledged to carry out more thorough and meticulous preparations at the committee level. Provided by the Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, held under the theme "Connecting Islands, the Sea, and the Future," will take place from September 5 to November 4 at the Dolsan Jinmo District, Gaedo and Geomundo areas, and the Yeosu World Expo site. The expo is targeting a total of 3 million domestic and international visitors.

Construction of the event venue is progressing smoothly according to the original schedule and is expected to be completed by June. The interior content of the eight exhibition halls, including the landmark main exhibition hall, will be installed by July, followed by a one-month trial operation period before the official opening in September. The exhibition design and content planning are also being further refined.

Centered around the main theme island, the exhibition halls—such as the Marine Ecology Island, Future Island, Culture Island, Treasure Island, International Exchange Island, and Restaurant Market Island—will connect the past, present, and future of islands into a single narrative, allowing all generations to enjoy the expo together.

The landmark sculpture for the expo has also taken shape. The "Landmark," which combines light and digital media, will be presented in various forms depending on the time of day, symbolizing the sustainable future of islands and the vision for digital islands.

Since February, a full-scale inspection of all vessels moored in the event area has been conducted, followed by administrative measures and clean-up for illegally stored items in fishing port zones. Household waste from island areas is also being collected every other week, with all efforts focused on maintaining a clean environment.

Efforts are also being made to redefine the readiness for accommodating visitors, including eradicating price gouging. A large-scale civic campaign is being carried out to ensure a friendly and clean welcome, focusing on five key areas: cleanliness, safety, food, accommodation, and transportation.

The status of the expo as an international event is rapidly being established. So far, participation from 27 countries and 3 international organizations has been confirmed. To attract a total of 3 million visitors, promotional efforts are being stepped up in stages, linking regional and national broadcasters and the Korea Tourism Organization. Additional initiatives include major popup promotional events, familiarization tours for companies, hometown associations, journalists, and influencers, and promotional activities using overseas media and online platforms.

Preparations for a stay-type international event for visitors are also accelerating. Beyond simple exhibitions and viewing, a variety of experiential programs are planned to enable participants to experience the ecology, culture, and future of islands, such as island campgrounds, the Geomundo Bireong-gil Stamp Tour, island culinary experiences, and "One Night, Three Meals on the Island."

Kim Jonggi, Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, stated, "The Yeosu World Islands Expo will go beyond a local event to elevate the value of islands as a national strategy and serve as an important turning point for sharing this value with the world. We will carefully review every step of the preparation process together with the people of Jeonnam, making this a world-class islands expo that represents Korea."

Going forward, the organizing committee aims to further refine the preparations for the expo and strengthen cooperation with the central government, local governments, experts, and residents, with the goal of successfully hosting the world's first expo dedicated to the theme of islands.

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