Wando-gun, Bogil Yejakdo to Become an Art Island... Landmark Development Project in Full Swing

Basic Plan Completed, Creation of Dullegil, Four-Season Herb Garden, and Meditation Space

Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, is set to actively promote a project to make Bogil Yejakdo a tourist attraction.

According to the county on the 30th, since the start of night passenger ferry operations last year connecting Nohwa (Bogil) and Soan, and the completion of Yejakgyo (a sea footbridge), the number of tourists visiting Bogil Yejakdo has been increasing.

Accordingly, the county has decided to proceed with the ‘Yejakdo Tourism Attraction Project’ to allow tourists to experience the old charm of Yejakdo’s stone wall paths, its pristine natural environment, and various cultural elements.

Wando-gun Bogil Yejakdo Tourism Attraction Project Bird's-eye View [Photo by Wando-gun]

In February, a project briefing session was held for the 20 households residing on Yejakdo to gather their opinions, and by April, the basic plan establishment service was completed.

The concept of the ‘Yejakdo Tourism Attraction Project’ is an ‘Art Island.’ It was inspired by Naoshima in Japan, where the entire island serves as an art museum for artists, attracting many artists and tourists.

The county plans to preserve Yejakdo’s natural and cultural resources and turn them into tourism content by creating a ‘Dulle-gil (Healing Trail),’ ‘Four Seasons Herb Garden,’ ‘Meongjon Meditation Space,’ and ‘Sosojae Sculpture Park.’

Additionally, through remodeling vacant houses, spaces will be provided for artists to live and support their creative activities, allowing tourists to view their works.

The county plans to issue a detailed design service after investment review and aims to complete the project by 2027.

A county official said, “We will do our best to promote the project to develop Bogil Yejakdo into an art island where residents’ lives, nature, and art harmonize, revitalizing the island and tourism.”

Meanwhile, Wando-gun is transforming the entire county into a ‘Healing Island’ by linking the unique tourism resources of each island with healing.

Bogildo is themed around ‘Sound Healing,’ where visitors can heal while listening to the refreshing waves at Yesong-ri Beach; ‘Literary Healing,’ connected to the Yun Seon-do historic site; and Yejakdo is themed around ‘Art Healing.’

Wando = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Kyung-pil just8440@asiae.co.kr