Min Hyung-bae: "Five Months to the Yeosu World Island Expo... Urgent Need for Comprehensive Safety Review"

Ahead of the First International Event of the Integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan City
Reassessing Temporary Facilities on Reclaimed Land, Transportation, and Disaster Response Systems

Min Hyung-bae, a National Assembly member for Gwangsan-gu-eul in Gwangju and the Democratic Party candidate for the special mayor of the integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju metropolitan area, has called for a comprehensive safety-focused review ahead of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, which is set to open in five months.

On April 19, through his Facebook page, candidate Min stated, "The Yeosu World Island Expo will be the first international event held under the name of the integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju metropolitan city," and emphasized, "Since this event will showcase Yeosu's marine resources, including its 365 islands, to the world, thorough preparation and gaining the trust of citizens must be fundamental prerequisites."

Democratic Party candidate Min Hyungbae for Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam, is celebrating with a congratulatory performance on the 14th at his campaign office in Mareuk-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, after winning the final party primary. On the same day, the Democratic Party central committee confirmed candidate Min as the nominee for Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam. Yonhap News

He pointed out recent concerns regarding inadequate preparation of the main event venue, controversy over the construction of temporary facilities on reclaimed land, lack of transportation and convenience facilities, and the issue of marine waste such as discarded fishing gear and abandoned vessels. Min noted, "When it comes to international events, even a single moment of complacency can damage the region's image and the nation's credibility."

Regarding the central government's response, he said, "President Lee Jaemyung has ordered inspections and support at a cabinet meeting, and Prime Minister Kim Minseok has visited the site as part of the response efforts," adding, "Regardless of the election, all candidates should proactively conduct pre-event inspections with even greater focus." He further stressed, "The inspection should not be just for show; it must be conducted from the perspective of visitors on site."

Min specifically suggested prioritizing on-site safety factors that directly affect visitors, such as movement flow, accessibility for those with limited mobility, drainage facilities, shaded areas and rest spots, and infrastructure to cope with sea breezes. He also highlighted the need to establish disaster response systems tailored to the marine environment, including preparations for typhoons and heavy rain, safety on vessels transporting visitors between islands, alternative transportation systems in case of severe weather, and emergency patient evacuation protocols.

Regarding the location of the main event venue, he raised the possibility of utilizing the existing Yeosu Expo exhibition halls.

He said, "Considering there are already proven exhibition halls from the 2012 Yeosu Expo, we need to fundamentally reassess whether it is appropriate to build temporary facilities on reclaimed land that may pose drainage concerns. If we can reduce unnecessary spending and ensure safety, actively utilizing existing infrastructure with flexibility is necessary."

Min concluded, "The success of an international event is not determined by extravagant facilities, but by flawless on-site safety. I will personally inspect the sites and address any deficiencies to ensure the first international event of the integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju metropolitan city is held safely and successfully."

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