Ahn Hyejin Wins Grand Prize for 'Environmental Art Protecting the Sea'
The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee announced the winners of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo program (content) idea contest on the 21st.
This contest was held from April 1 to May 24 to raise public interest in the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo and to discover new content, targeting the entire nation (including the public official sector).
The organizing committee received a total of 125 proposals, selected 34 through a preliminary review, and after evaluation by a panel of experts, finally chose 12 winners (1 grand prize, 3 excellence awards, and 8 encouragement awards).
The grand prize was awarded to Hyejin An for her proposal titled “Environmental Art Protecting the Sea: Sustainable Marine Content.” The concept combined cutting-edge technology and art, presenting a resource circulation idea using 3D printers with marine waste as material.
The judges evaluated the idea as aligned with island ecosystem protection and environmental pollution prevention, and found the experience engaging.
The excellence awards went to Sunhee Kim for “Time-machine in Yeosu Island & Ocean,” and Chanwook Jeong for “The Story of Guni and Guki’s Island: Yeosu’s Past, Present, and Future, Sustainable Smart Green Tourism.”
The judging criteria were feasibility, creativity, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Winners will receive certificates (awarded by the Governor of Jeollanam-do and the Mayor of Yeosu) and a total prize of 5 million KRW.
Planning and Administration Director Sunam Lee stated, “The winning entries from this contest will be utilized as exhibition content for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo through fusion with existing content. We also plan to seek imaginative and innovative ideas from the public through video contests and other events in the future.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, under the theme “Islands Connecting the Sea and the Future,” will be held for two months from September 5 to November 4, 2026, across Dolsan Jinmo District, the 2012 Yeosu Expo site, and Yeosu’s islands including Geumo-do and Gae-do.
The world’s first expo themed on islands is an international event that reexamines island ecology, marine resources, and historical-cultural values to explore a sustainable future for islands.
It is also expected to be a meaningful international event that discusses improving island living conditions, addresses challenges such as climate change faced by islands, strengthens solidarity among nations, and promotes coexistence between the Earth and humanity through wise utilization of island resources.
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