Yeosu Mayor Seo Young-hak welcomes the 1 millionth visitor to the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo on Saturday. [Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee]
Yeosu Mayor Seo Young-hak welcomes the 1 millionth visitor to the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo on Saturday. [Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee]

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo surpassed 1 million visitors on Saturday, just 36 days after opening.

The expo's organizing committee held a milestone event Saturday afternoon to mark the 1 millionth entry, presenting a lucky gift to the visitor who crossed that threshold.

The 1 millionth visitor turned out to be a couple surnamed Jo — a 56-year-old man and his wife — from Suncheon.

"The expo is being held nearby in Yeosu, so we came out to enjoy the holiday," Jo said. "We're delighted to receive an unexpected gift, and Sunday is a day we'll remember for a long time."

Yeosu Mayor Seo Young-hak, who was on hand to greet the couple in person, presented them with a bouquet and prizes.

The organizing committee also gave consolation prizes to the 999,999th and 1,000,001st visitors, welcoming them to the expo grounds.

One consolation prize recipient, a 41-year-old man surnamed Park from Jeonju, had come with his sister's family to celebrate his father's birthday. "My father lives in Yeosu, and we came to visit for his birthday — it's wonderful to receive an unexpected gift," he said. "I'm happy I can give my father something special."

The expo struggled in its early weeks amid complaints about a lack of attractions and underwhelming performances, but attendance has picked up as organizers bolstered exhibition and hands-on content, added popular cultural and arts performances, and expanded participatory programs. A string of October public holidays has also drawn more tourists to the venue.

Combined attendance across the main venue on Dolsando and satellite venues on Gaedo and Geumodo reached about 132,000 on Oct. 4, during the National Foundation Day holiday period, and about 126,000 on Hangul Day.

Kim Jong-gi, secretary-general of the organizing committee, said the expo aims to highlight the natural, cultural and ecological value of islands and explore their futures together. "We will do our best to ensure that as many people as possible can experience the value and appeal of islands during the remaining period," he said.

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, held at the Jinmo district main venue in Dolsan-eup, Yeosu, closes Nov. 4.


parkds@heraldcorp.com