Wando County Kicks Off Preparations for 2026 Pre-Wando International Seaweed Expo

Organizing Committee Convenes to Begin Full-Scale Event Preparations

Jeonnam Wando County announced on the 28th that it has officially begun preparations for the "2026 Pre-Wando International Seaweed Expo" by holding a meeting of the event's organizing committee in the county office situation room.

The meeting was attended by 15 committee members, including County Governor Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Council Operations Committee Chair Ji Min, Wando County Council member Choi Jungwook, Wando Education Director Lee Cheolyeong, and Wando Prosperity Association President Kim Heonmyeong.

Wando County held the '2026 Pre Wando International Seaweed Expo' Promotion Committee meeting and officially began preparations for the event. Photo by Wando County

The meeting proceeded in the order of presenting appointment letters, electing the chairperson, reporting on the expo's progress, and a Q&A session. Kim Heonmyeong, President of the Wando Prosperity Association, was elected as the chairperson, while Yoo Jeongyeon, President of the Korea Abalone Export Association, was elected as vice chairperson. The committee consists of experts and local figures from various fields, including the seaweed industry, maritime and fisheries, tourism, and academia, and will serve as a focal point for public-private cooperation during the expo's preparation.

The "2026 Pre-Wando International Seaweed Expo" will be held for six days from May 2 to May 7, 2026, at Wando Beach Park and the Sinji Myeongsashimni area, under the theme "Climate Leaders: The Future of the Ocean Opened by Seaweed." During the event, four exhibition halls, including the Seaweed Understanding Hall, will be operated, and distinctive experiential events such as the International Seaweed Symposium, export consultation meetings, bamboo sea fishing experiences, and fresh seaweed harvesting will be offered.

Governor Shin stated, "In order to promote the sustainable Wando seaweed industry and expand the value of blue carbon, we must hold the export-oriented industrial expo, the '2028 Wando International Seaweed Industry Expo.' As a stepping stone, the '2026 Pre-Wando International Seaweed Expo' should highlight the future value of seaweed."