The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo marks the halfway point of its two-month schedule.
The harsh criticism pouring in on everything from exhibitions and performances to event management downgraded the remaining month to a 'catch-up time' rather than a successful event.
The organizers plan to turn the atmosphere around by attracting group visitors and revitalizing citizen participation in the coming holiday season and fall outing season.
โ Flood of criticism for poor contentโฆ Notice of government audit during event period
According to the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee on the 3rd, the number of visitors to the island expo's main and vice presidents was 457,769 over the 27 days from the opening on the 5th of last month to the 1st.
It is unlikely that the goal of attracting 3 million people will be achieved in two months, but considering that about half of the schedule has been completed, it seems realistic to revise the goal to 1 million people.
There were many criticisms about the futuristic transportation experience, which was all about picking up tickets at a kiosk, the Geomundo sea shanty performance in which a 1-ton truck was covered with cloth to create the shape of a boat, and the poor composition of the 14,900 won crab soup sold at a restaurant in the main event venue.
In contrast to the large investment budget, it was ridiculed on social media as "not as good as the shark that appeared in Busan's North Port," and was even used as a material to disparage the Honam region in some quarters.
The response of local governments, such as the Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City's guidelines allowing public officials to travel to the Island Expo without using annual leave, and the Yeosu City official letter that pointed out taxi drivers as the source of false slander and urged them to refrain, also encouraged criticism.
The organizers are in a position where they have to undergo verification from the National Assembly at a time when they need to try to change the atmosphere.
Ahead of the National Assembly audit, members of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, etc. requested data related to pointed matters such as the status of overseas training for government officials related to the Island Expo and the basis for the estimate of the target number of visitors of 3 million.
Lawmakers are investigating how the budget, which was KRW 24.8 billion when the Ministry of Strategy and Finance approved the international event, increased to a total of KRW 180 billion, including direct project expenses of KRW 71.3 billion and linked project expenses, and the status of execution.
A battle was announced at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 6th and the government audit of the Gwangju Unified Special City of Jeollanam-do on the 22nd.
People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won mentioned various problems surrounding the Island Expo at the Supreme Council meeting on the 28th of last month and said, "We need to think about why this situation occurred," and added, "Because the area is a one-party dictatorship area of โโthe Democratic Party, no one checks it. Even if the national budget is spent to this extent, even if there is incorrect budget execution or corruption, there is no check."
Jo Gye-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea in the Yeosu-eul constituency, responded, "It is natural for the National Assembly and audit agencies to question how national and municipal funds were used. Criticism is the power to repair the region. However, it is unacceptable to criticize the voters' choice with a biased view and the standard of verbal abuse that calls it dictatorship."
โ Attracting holiday outings and group visitorsโฆ Seeking a turnaround by expanding citizen participation
The start was a mess, but there are some parts where some reversals are expected.
With the support of Boim Group, the main event hall was opened to Yeosu citizens for free and a giveaway event worth a total of 20 million won was held on the 19th of last month, and about 50,000 people flocked to the event hall.
The organizing committee hopes to continue the enthusiasm for viewing during the holidays, with 67,491 people on the 25th of last month, the day of Chuseok, 59,797 on the 26th, and 37,465 on the 27th.
During the National Foundation Day holiday starting from this day, the 'KBC Seomseom Concert', 'Prime Concert', and performances by musical actor Choi Jeong-won will be performed one after another, making the autumn of the Island Expo set against the backdrop of Yeosu's night sea expected to ripen.
On the 9th, Hangul Day, the 'Jazz Festival' will be held at Jujusajang, and the 'World Gimbap & Salt Festival' will be held at the Yeosu World Expo Center during the holiday period from the same day to the 11th.
The exhibition hall has also been renovated, and starting from the 7th, the participating regions of the main international exchange island will change to Hawaii, Kochi, and Palau, revealing a new look.
The organizing committee also expanded free admission.
Until the end of this month, up to two visitors accompanied by children under the age of 12 can enter for free. Until the 11th, the week commemorating Senior Citizens' Day, those over the age of 65, instead of the existing 75, can enter for free.
Residents of Busan and Jeju until the 11th, Incheon and Gyeongnam from the 9th to the 18th, and Yeosu from the 12th to the 18th can visit the expo site for free during the 'Participating Local Government Week'.
Residents of inhabited islands across the country are always free by simply verifying their address.
The organizing committee is also diligently attracting group tours from schools and public institutions of all levels.
Citizens are also helping to restore the damaged image by donating their talents and volunteering.
Through the โCAMPAIGN FOR YEOSUโ, a citizen participation activity centered on cultural artists in the Yeosu region, various performances were presented, and a cafe was created that provided drink vouchers to visitors.
The Yeosu City Small Business Association and the Residents' Autonomy Council held a resolution meeting at Jooju Beach on the 29th of last month and promised voluntary participation by each group and creating a boom.
Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special Mayor Min Hyeong-bae visited the Jinmo District Headquarters in Dolsan-eup, Yeosu on the 2nd to inspect the operating situation and discuss ways to increase visitor attraction for the remaining period.
Mayor Min said, โIt is important to continue the enthusiasm for viewing during the Chuseok holiday until the remaining period,โ and added, โThe Unified City, Yeosu City, and the organizing committee will work together to do our best to attract and promote more visitors to the expo.โ
The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo will be held until the 4th of next month under the theme of โConnecting Islands, the Sea and the Futureโ at the Jooju Event Center, Gaedo and Geumodo Vice Event Sites, and the Yeosu World Expo Center.
