Even Without Railroads, the 'Yeolcha' Runs... Ulleung-gun and Korea Railroad Corporation Sign MOU for Tourism Revitalization

Ulleung-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, and Korea Railroad Corporation signed a business agreement on the 27th to promote regional travel using railroads. Although there are no railroads on the island, the agreement provides additional benefits when travelers use trains until they take a ferry to Ulleungdo.

This agreement was established to revitalize tourism using railroads through the operation of local love railroad travel products by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Rural Community Corporation, and 33 local governments.

Ulleung County signed a business agreement with Korea Railroad Corporation on the 27th to promote railway tourism in areas experiencing population decline.

In the case of Ulleung-gun, which has no railroads, travelers can receive a 50% discount coupon on the railroad fare they used previously by visiting tourist spots or attractions on Ulleungdo after arriving via Pohang, Uljin, or Gangneung, where the passenger ferry terminals to Ulleungdo are located, and verifying with a QR code.

For verification, visitors need to visit one of the following places: Cheonbu Undersea Observatory, Park Chung-hee 1962 (former county governor’s residence), Taeha Hyangmok Monorail, Namseo Monorail, Bongrae Waterfall, Gwaneumdo, Dokdo Observatory Cable Car, Usan Museum, Suto History Exhibition Hall, or Anyongbok Memorial Hall.

Ulleung-gun promotes tourism through the Instagram account VisitUlleung to increase year-round tourism and revisit rates. It is also focusing on marketing aligned with changing tourism trends, such as developing train-linked tourism products, sea-side food stalls, marine leisure experiences, hiking, and trail running competitions.

Nam Han-kwon, the mayor of Ulleung-gun, said, “Ulleung-gun and Korea Railroad Corporation will cooperate to design and support the operation of various tourism products preferred by tourists.”