South Korea Names 2026 ‘Year to Visit Islands,’ Offers Up to 100,000 Won in Travel Aid

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Friday it has designated 2026 as the “Year to Visit Islands” and will provide up to 100,000 won in travel support for people who visit islands.

The initiative is being launched for the first time to highlight the tourism value of Korea’s islands, which the ministry said has been underestimated, and to promote tourism as part of efforts to support balanced regional development in island communities.

The ministry said it will subsidize lodging costs for tourists who visit islands and stay at least one night during the summer vacation season (July-August) and during the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, scheduled for Sept. 5-Nov. 4. Detailed eligibility rules and application procedures will be posted on a dedicated website set to open May 18.

South Jeolla Province will also run its own “Jeonnam Year to Visit Islands” program offering up to 100,000 won in travel support, and the Korea Tourism Organization plans to hold an island lodging discount campaign in September, known as the Lodging Sale Festa.

The ministry held a proclamation ceremony for the “2026 Year to Visit Islands” at 3 p.m. Friday at Yi Sun-sin Square in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. Attendees included Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae, South Jeolla Vice Gov. Hwang Gi-yeon, Yeosu Vice Mayor Jeong Hyeon-gu, and Korea Island Development Institute President Cho Seong-hwan.

The ministry said it will also roll out participation programs aimed at helping people build ongoing ties with islands. It plans a “One Person, One Island” promotional campaign that issues participants a digital “island resident ID,” along with events that match people with a “companion island” or grant honorary island resident status. The ministry also plans an event encouraging visits to 88 islands selected each year as places people want to travel to.

“Our country is an archipelago tourism nation with 3,390 beautiful islands, and each island has its own unique appeal and value,” Kim said. “I hope that, through the 2026 Year to Visit Islands, more people will visit islands and enjoy a special trip with family and friends.”