The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo officially opened on September 5 in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, marking the start of a two-month event.
The opening ceremony was held at the main venue in Yeosu, organized by the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Yeosu City, and the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee, and will run until November 4.
More than 5,000 attendees were present, including Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, Kim Kyung-soo, Special Advisor to the President, Seo Young-hak, the mayor of Yeosu, and Park Soo-kwan, the private committee chair, along with members of the National Assembly, island residents, and visitors.
The ceremony began with performances by the Yeosu Municipal Traditional Music Group and the Yeosu Municipal Choir, followed by the opening declaration, welcoming speeches, congratulatory videos, and a musical performance.
The opening theme performance, a musical titled 'The Last Mermaid,' was inspired by the 'Sinjiggi Legend' from Geomundo, showcasing stories held by the islands and the sea.
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic opening event where distinguished guests and citizens raised a 'Sphere of Light,' followed by a drone show lighting up the night sky. Performances by singers Park Ji-hyun, Kiki, and Jeon Yu-jin also entertained the crowd.
Notably, the opening declaration included participation from Seo Young-hak, the mayor of Yeosu, as well as children, youth, and foreign residents, emphasizing community involvement in the event.
In his welcoming speech, Mayor Min Hyung-bae stated, "Each island embodies the ancient wisdom of humanity's relationship with nature. Through the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, which is the first of its kind to feature islands as the main focus, we look forward to new possibilities unfolding over the next two months in Yeosu's islands and sea."
Earlier that morning, a ceremony was held in front of the theme island at the main venue, attended by about 100 people, including Hwang Gi-yeon, the Deputy Mayor of South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Seo Young-hak, Mayor of Yeosu, Park Soo-kwan, the private committee chair, members of the National Assembly, island residents, and visitors.
The opening festivities began with a welcoming parade featuring the expo character 'Dasami,' followed by photo opportunities, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and commemorative photos. The first ticket purchasers and volunteers also participated in the opening event.
The expo, themed 'Connecting Islands, Sea, and Future,' will showcase various programs centered around the main venue in the Dolsan Jinmo area, as well as Geodo and Geumo Island, and the Yeosu World Expo site.
At the main venue, exhibitions and cultural performances will explore the current value and future vision of islands, while Geodo and Geumo Island will offer programs such as camping, trekking, and local food experiences, allowing visitors to enjoy the islands firsthand.
The South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Yeosu City, and the organizing committee plan to operate the expo as an event that goes beyond mere observation, allowing participants to directly experience the nature, culture, and lifestyle of the islands and explore their future value.
The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo will continue until November 4, featuring programs that introduce the ecological, cultural, and tourism resources of the islands, showcasing the diverse attractions of Yeosu's islands to both domestic and international visitors.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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