On the 9th, 80-some days before the opening, Jinmo District in Dolsan, Yeosu, the main venue of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, was in the final stretch of foundation work. The main venue was speeding up construction with the goal of completion by the end of July. Sidewalk blocks and the main road paving had progressed considerably, but patches where flowers and grass had yet to be planted still showed bare soil. It was closer to a construction site quickly taking shape to meet the opening clock than to a finished expo venue.
However, compared with April, when Assistant Deputy Director Kim Seon-tae, known as the YouTuber Chungju Man, posted a promotional video for the island expo, construction had advanced noticeably.
◇ Landmark "theme island" with its frame revealed… 60% complete
More than 80% of the space to be used as sidewalks was paved with blocks, and the main road running through the center of the venue was asphalt-paved. The height difference between the sidewalk and the main road was about 10 cm. The on-site facilities chief said, "We plan to lay an asphalt concrete layer over the asphalt paving later."
The venue's landmark "theme island," visible immediately after passing through the main gate, had finished its framing and was undergoing interior works. The pyramid-shaped theme island measures 40 meters wide, 40 meters long and 20 meters high. An LED display will be installed on the exterior wall to present a media facade against the backdrop of Yeosu's night sea. Inside, visitors can view a media exhibition themed on islands.
The on-site facilities chief said, "The theme island is about 60% complete," adding, "Once we finish the interior systems and install the LED display on the exterior, we'll be done. We plan to complete all construction by the end of July."
Three tent halls—Marine Ecology Island, Future Island and Treasure Island—were installed first on the main venue site. Inside the tents, excavators were compacting the ground. The facilities chief said, "After compacting the floor, we will install the interior exhibition facilities."
The Marine Ecology Island pavilion will feature bio cubes and a digital aquarium using 91 marine protected species designated by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The Future Island pavilion will be set up as a space showcasing the future marine industry through a full-scale urban air mobility (UAM) aircraft, hydrogen vessels and more. Treasure Island will be created as an indoor playground where children can enjoy facilities themed on the ocean and islands.
◇ Some empty spaces remain at the venue… "Installing sequentially as planned"
Some facilities had yet to be tented. Five facilities—including the International Exchange Island, Culture Island, special performance hall, and two Dining Market Islands—will be installed in phases.
The organizing committee said the absence of some facilities was not a construction delay but sequential work according to plan. The facilities chief said, "If tent halls are left up too long, their exterior walls can discolor," adding, "We installed the three halls that require interior structural work first to proceed with inside works, and the pavilions that do not require special interior installations will be put up according to the schedule."
The International Exchange Island will host booths from 30 countries and three international organizations. It will be used as a space to introduce each country's island culture and the value of islands. The "island theme zone," which symbolizes islands around the world and in Korea, will be set up as a photo spot for visitors.
The "open culture space," where performances and events will take place, is largely complete. Up to 3,000 people can sit to watch performances on the wood-deck seating and on the synthetic turf in the yard. Once the exterior retaining wall work and stage installation are finished, it will be wrapped up.
As hardware construction accelerates, the organizing committee is also preparing content to fill the venue during the expo. A Yeosu Island Expo organizing committee official said, "A total of 133 performances are scheduled on the open stage and in the special performance hall during the expo," adding, "We are preparing a variety of performances, including an orchestra, an original musical and a K-pop concert." At night, lighting dance and media art using the media wall will run as regular programs.
◇ Half-price passenger ships and free buses planned… Linking to island tourism
The organizing committee is also preparing transportation and fare support so visitors to the expo venue can directly tour Yeosu's islands. First, 50% of the passenger ship fare to and from Gaedo and Geomundo, the auxiliary venues, will be subsidized. A half-price fare for passenger ships serving islands across Yeosu is also being pursued.
South Jeolla Province will refund up to 100,000 won in local currency to tourists who spend 200,000 won or more on island lodging and experiences through its "half-price island travel" project. The city of Yeosu will also operate separate island tour incentives.
An organizing committee official said, "We are planning routes so that visitors don't stop at indirectly experiencing islands at the venue but can directly experience the beautiful islands throughout Yeosu."
Transportation will also be reinforced. Twenty-nine buses on 16 city bus routes serving the Dolsan area and the islands will run free of charge. On weekends, up to 60 shuttle buses will be deployed. Plans to add more Yeosu-bound KTX trains and increase capacity are under discussion with relevant ministries.
Kim Jong-gi, secretary-general of the organizing committee, said, "By the end of July, the main venue and all other venues will be ready to welcome guests," adding, "After about a month of trial operation, we will welcome visitors in a completed state at the opening on Sept. 6."
The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, under the theme "Islands connect the sea and the future," will be held from Sept. 5 to Nov. 4 at Jinmo District in Dolsan, Yeosu; in and around Gaedo and Geomundo; and at the Yeosu World Expo site. The goal is to showcase to the world the ecological, historical and cultural value of islands and their potential as a future energy resource.