Yeosu Geomun Island was designated as the "island of the year 2026," selected by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) have designated one of the seven inhabited islands that serve as base points for the territorial sea each year since 2023 to raise the pride of island residents and continuously inform the public of the importance of base-point islands for the territorial sea.
A base point for the territorial sea is the outermost boundary of Korea's territory and the standard that determines the outer limits of maritime jurisdiction. There are a total of 23: three on the mainland, seven inhabited islands, and 13 uninhabited islets.
Geomun Island, part of Samsan-myeon, Yeosu, is located far out in the South Sea and serves as a refuge for large and small vessels that cannot reach the mainland when waves and winds are strong due to typhoons.
The entire island is part of Dadohaehaesang National Park, boasting striking natural scenery such as bizarre rock formations and camellia forest trails. There is also a wide variety of local specialties, including Spanish mackerel, hairtail, horse mackerel, seaweed, and kelp. Visitors can also see relics of the "Geomun Island incident," when Britain occupied the island saying it would block Russia's southward advance.
To share the islands' natural and ecological value and cultural and historical value, including Geomun Island, and to inform the public about the islands' future development potential, Yeosu will host the "2026 Yeosu World Island Expo" for two months from Sept. 5 to Nov. 4 at the Jindo district in Dolsan, Yeosu.
Kim Gun-ho, director general for balanced development at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), said, "Base-point islands for the territorial sea have important value in terms of defense and the economy, but population outflow is accelerating, so they need support for balanced development," and added, "We will continue to support residents of remote islands so they can live at the same level as those on the mainland."
Song Jong-jun, acting director for international cooperation policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), said, "We will strengthen activities to re-highlight the value of and improve awareness about the islands and surrounding waters that are base points for the territorial sea and are important for security, ecology, and strategy."