255.6 Billion KRW Invested in Local Islands and Fishing Villages
57 Projects Launched to Improve Living Conditions and More
Jeonnam Province is launching a residential environment improvement project focusing on local islands and fishing villages. Photo by Jeonnam Province. The photo shows Yeoseodo, Wando.
Jeonnam Province plans to invest 255.6 billion KRW this year in 57 projects, including improving living conditions on islands, developing fishing ports, and establishing marine leisure infrastructure, to revitalize the fishing village economy.
The main projects include the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, Comprehensive Island Development Project, K-Tourism Island, Fishing Village New Vitality Project, Fishing Port Maintenance, Marine Leisure Tourism Hub, Beach Operation, and International Youth Island Work Camp.
Based on its abundant fisheries resources, which account for more than 40% of the nation, Jeonnam Province aims to transform its islands and fishing villages into attractive marine tourist destinations and vibrant residential spaces.
In particular, an additional 42.8 billion KRW has been secured to successfully host the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. The expo, which will be held for two months from September 5 to November 4, 2026, is being prepared as a crucial turning point to promote the value of islands globally and accelerate the revitalization of marine tourism.
The province is also actively working to improve living conditions and boost tourism on the islands. Through the Comprehensive Island Development Project, 65.9 billion KRW will be invested in expanding basic infrastructure such as community workshops, breakwaters, and bridges connecting the islands in 79 islands across nine cities and counties. Shinan Heuksando and Yeosu Geomundo will be intensively fostered as attractive K-Tourism Islands with an investment of 21 billion KRW over four years until 2026.
To revitalize the fishing village economy and maintain fishing port facilities, a total budget of 119 billion KRW will be allocated. The "Fishing Village New Vitality Enhancement Project," a follow-up to the Fishing Village New Deal 300, will receive 89 billion KRW to encourage private investment and support overall safety infrastructure, thereby boosting the economic vitality of fishing villages. In addition, 29.9 billion KRW will be invested in the construction, repair, and reinforcement of local fishing ports to expand essential infrastructure and protect the safety and property of fishermen.
At the same time, infrastructure to boost marine tourism will continue to be expanded. This year, an additional 16.5 billion KRW will be invested to develop the Boseong Yulpo Marine Complex Center into the nation's premier marine leisure tourism hub, and 2.7 billion KRW will be spent to improve the environment of Jeonnam's major beaches, making them safe and pleasant premium beaches.
The Jeonnam Island branding policy will also be continuously promoted. Educational programs will be operated to train residents as island experts, focusing on cultivating island coordinators. The International Youth Island Work Camp, which will be held for the sixth time this year, will further strengthen global promotion by enhancing international networks through the islands.
Park Taegun, Director of the Island and Marine Policy Division of Jeonnam Province, stated, "Through the major projects being implemented this year, we will dramatically improve the living conditions of islands and fishing villages and transform Jeonnam's islands and fishing villages into world-class marine tourist destinations sought after by people around the globe."
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