Three Yeosu Islands Selected for MOIS 2026 Island Specialization Project, the Highest Number in the Nation
- Date
- 2025.08.14 17:10
- Views
- 112
- Registrar
- 여수시청
Up to KRW 5 Billion per Island to Support the Creation of Sustainable Island Villages
Yeosu City (Mayor Jung Gi-Myoung) announced that three of its islands—Jangji on Geumo Island (Nam-myeon), Sado Island (Hwajeong-myeon), and Deokchon on Seodo Island (Samsan-myeon)—have been selected for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's (MOIS) ‘2026 Island Region Specialization Project.'
In this first stage of the project, a total of four islands were selected from 188 islands in specially-designated regions across the country, following a document review and on-site evaluation. The selection of three islands from Yeosu marks a significant achievement for the city.
The selected islands will each receive KRW 400 million from 2026 to 2027. This funding will support phased initiatives, including resident-led content development, infrastructure construction to discover and expand the villages' main businesses, and education and consulting to strengthen residents' self-reliance.
Yeosu City has been systematically preparing for this project, including conducting a preliminary study to identify potential new island candidates. As a result, starting with Hwatae Island and Ando Island in Nam-myeon in 2023, a total of 12 islands (5 in Nam-myeon, 3 in Hwajeong-myeon, 3 in Samsan-myeon, and 1 in Myodo-dong) have now been selected for the program.
The 'Island Region Specialization Project' supports the creation of sustainable island villages by empowering residents to form their organizations, commercialize local resources, develop them for tourism, and generate new jobs and income. Based on performance, each island can receive up to KRW 5 billion in support over a maximum of nine years.
A city official stated, "The selection for this specialization project will be an important opportunity to expand infrastructure in our island areas and strengthen residents' capabilities." They added, "We expect that creating sustainable islands will also contribute to the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo."
Yeosu City (Mayor Jung Gi-Myoung) announced that three of its islands—Jangji on Geumo Island (Nam-myeon), Sado Island (Hwajeong-myeon), and Deokchon on Seodo Island (Samsan-myeon)—have been selected for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's (MOIS) ‘2026 Island Region Specialization Project.'
In this first stage of the project, a total of four islands were selected from 188 islands in specially-designated regions across the country, following a document review and on-site evaluation. The selection of three islands from Yeosu marks a significant achievement for the city.
The selected islands will each receive KRW 400 million from 2026 to 2027. This funding will support phased initiatives, including resident-led content development, infrastructure construction to discover and expand the villages' main businesses, and education and consulting to strengthen residents' self-reliance.
Yeosu City has been systematically preparing for this project, including conducting a preliminary study to identify potential new island candidates. As a result, starting with Hwatae Island and Ando Island in Nam-myeon in 2023, a total of 12 islands (5 in Nam-myeon, 3 in Hwajeong-myeon, 3 in Samsan-myeon, and 1 in Myodo-dong) have now been selected for the program.
The 'Island Region Specialization Project' supports the creation of sustainable island villages by empowering residents to form their organizations, commercialize local resources, develop them for tourism, and generate new jobs and income. Based on performance, each island can receive up to KRW 5 billion in support over a maximum of nine years.
A city official stated, "The selection for this specialization project will be an important opportunity to expand infrastructure in our island areas and strengthen residents' capabilities." They added, "We expect that creating sustainable islands will also contribute to the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo."
