Jeollanam-do and Seoul to Cooperate for Next Year's Yeosu World Island Expo
Promoting Marine Tourism and Joint Marketing of Major Events
Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is signing the '2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee-Seoul City Business Agreement' with Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, Yeosu Mayor Jung Kimyeong, and Organizing Committee Chairman Park Sugwan at the Seoul City Hall briefing room on the 7th. Provided by Jeonnam Province
Jeollanam-do, Yeosu City, and the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Metropolitan Government at Seoul City Hall on the 7th to promote mutual cooperation for the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, including revitalizing island tourism and joint pre-marketing of major events.
The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do and Co-Chairman of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee; Chung Kimyung, Mayor of Yeosu; Park Sookwan, Chairman of YC-TEC Co., Ltd.; Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul; and about 60 officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Following the signing ceremony, Governor Kim Yungrok gave a presentation under the theme "Connecting Islands, the Sea, and the Future," outlining the vision for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, Jeollanam-do's role in Korea's island policy, and the value of islands as future hubs of marine tourism.
During the event, Governor Kim presented a blueprint to establish Jeollanam-do as the world’s capital of islands and Yeosu as a global marine tourism city by hosting the world’s first expo themed around islands.
In particular, he drew deep consensus from the attendees on the importance of islands, which are gaining attention as centers of future marine industry and tourism by preserving their unique local culture and traditions.
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, in his presentation "Seoul and Yeosu, Connecting Waterways to the Future," introduced the Han River bus, which will operate in the first half of this year from Jamsil, passing through Yeouido to Magok Pier, offering a new transportation experience. He also presented a vision to connect Seoul and Yeosu by operating coastal cruises along the Ara Waterway and the West Sea route to Yeosu in the future.
The establishment of a marine tourism network connecting Seoul and Yeosu along the Ara Waterway aligns with Jeollanam-do's ambitious "Island-to-Island Coastal Cruise Pilot Project" being promoted this year. The unique cruise route starting from the Han River and leading to Yeosu is expected to generate significant ripple effects for the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, an international event approved by the government, will be held from September 5 to November 4, 2026, in Jinmo District, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu World Expo site, Geumodo in Nam-myeon, and Gaedo in Hwajeong-myeon, Yeosu.
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