- Incheon’s islands promote their merits with their own themes: 

Ganghwado Island perfect to explore the past and present; Ongjin islands, worth revisiting

The Incheon Metropolitan Government will participate in the 5th Island Day Festival in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do to promote the values and merits of Incheon’s islands.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, will take place from Aug. 8 to 11 under the theme of “Wonderful islands of Incheon” to reflect the idea that the diverse charms of the islands bring joy, happiness, and hope to the people. 

Incheon has set up its own exhibition under the themes “Ganghwado Island, perfect to explore the past and present” and “Ongjin islands, worth revisiting.” In particular, the city is actively promoting its islands in collaboration with Gangwha-gun and Ongjin-gun by drawing inspiration from Palmido Island, home to Korea’s first modern lighthouse.

For residents of the metropolitan area, Incheon’s islands are the closest destinations to enjoy marine sports, healing retreats, and tidal flat experiences. These islands also offer opportunities for visitors to savor regionally distinct cuisines and participate in a variety of specialized activities.

To invigorate island tourism and stimulate the local economy, Incheon is actively pursuing a range of initiatives that leverage the islands’ ecological, historical, and cultural resources. These initiatives include improving residents’ living conditions and operating island tourism products.

Notably, the city plans to elevate Baengnyeongdo, Daecheongdo, and Socheongdo Islands to international prominence by securing the Global Geoparks certification from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The plan is expected to enhance the global brand value of these islands, positioning them as world-renowned tourist destinations while fostering sustainable regional economic development.

In addition, Incheon is undertaking significant tourism development projects for its islands. Particularly, the “Live Proudly on Incheon’s Islands” program offers extended stay experiences focused on island tourism and healing, and the Jawoldo Astronomical Science Center is scheduled to open next year. 

Kim Eul-soo, Director-General of the Maritime and Aviation Bureau at the Incheon Metropolitan Government, said, “This event will be a crucial opportunity to widely promote the value of Incheon’s islands, boost the income of island residents through the promotion of local specialties, and explore the potential for both development and preservation of these islands.”