This year, the beaches in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, closed without any fatalities. Although the operating days were reduced by six compared to last year, the number of visitors increased by 3.2%.
According to the Gwangju Metropolitan City on August 26, a total of 550,097 people visited the 48 beaches across 12 cities and counties during the 45-day operating period that ended on August 23.
This figure represents an increase of 16,865 visitors (3.2%) from last year's total of 533,232. Notably, the average daily attendance rose to 12,224, a 16.9% increase despite the shorter operating period.
Regionally, Yeosu recorded the highest number of visitors at 228,938, followed by Wando with 160,847, Sinan with 39,048, and Goheung with 38,966.
Among individual beaches, Wando's Sinji Myeongsa 40-ri Beach had the most visitors at 149,130. Yeosu's Ungcheon Beach followed with 75,347 visitors, while Mosa-gum Beach and Manseong-ri Beach recorded 68,425 and 59,258 visitors, respectively.
There were no fatalities reported during the beach operating period this year.
The Gwangju Metropolitan City conducted inspections of beach facilities and safety management systems in collaboration with local governments before the opening. Safety personnel and rescue equipment were deployed on-site.
During the operating period, the city maintained a cooperative system with relevant agencies, including fire departments, maritime police, and local police, to respond to safety threats such as weather changes and jellyfish appearances.
Park Tae-geon, head of the Island and Marine Policy Division at Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated, “Despite the shorter operating period compared to last year, more visitors came to the beaches in Gwangju. I would like to thank the safety management personnel, on-site workers, and related agencies for ensuring we could operate without any fatalities.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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