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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World A Transformative Experience KIDI Business
with KIDI Academy

In December 2022, Ms. Li completed the 8th cohort
of the KIDI Academy, which featured a three-day
program in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. The
immersive experience combined lectures on island
policy, interactive sessions with island residents, and
trekking on Yokjido Island.

Recommended by her professor, Ms. Li valued the
program’s hands-on approach, which offered both
theoretical and practical insights. “I was very satisfied
with the program. Listening to island residents during
the lectures provided a deeper understanding of the
challenges they face,” she said.

Looking ahead, she suggested more tailored
programs for researchers, such as specialized courses
segmented by participants’ expertise. “Customizing
the curriculum for those conducting advanced
research would add even more value,” she added.
Sinan’s Purple Island Fostering Bilateral Exchange Through A Call for Greater Support
: A Case Study in Successful Policy Forums and Conferences from KIDI

Ms. Li’s interest in Sinan’s Purple Islands (Banwol Highlighting the importance of international Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Li expressed a
Vol.01 and Parkjido) began during her research into collaboration, Ms. Li praised KIDI’s efforts to engage need for a centralized platform managed by KIDI
with institutions like Japan’s Remote Islands Center and
Korea’s island policies. These islands, internationally
to provide consistent and reliable data on Korea’s
celebrated for their transformation through color local governments such as Hachijojima. She suggested oceans and islands. She also suggested that KIDI
marketing, offered a compelling case study for her extending these exchanges to include China, particularly could serve as a liaison between researchers and
work. through academic forums and conferences that bridge island residents during fieldwork, particularly for
gaps between researchers and policymakers. international scholars.
The Purple Islands gained global attention as Korea’s
first islands to undergo a successful revival through China’s Navigation Center, which specializes in island “Field research is crucial, and having KIDI facilitate
branding. Recognized as a 2021 Korean Tourism affairs, mirrors KIDI’s role in Korea. Ms. Li emphasized communication with island communities would
Star, they were listed among the Top 100 Tourist the value of partnerships between such organizations, be invaluable,” she said.
Destinations by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and advocating for information-sharing platforms and joint
Tourism and received accolades from the UNWTO as research initiatives. Ms. Li aspires to contribute to maritime policy
one of the world’s best tourist villages. exchanges between Korea and China, aiming for
“Exchanges between governments, organizations, and a future as a university professor, researcher, or
Fascinated by their success, Ms. Li conducted a local administrations are essential,” she said. “Academic public servant. As she continues her journey, her
detailed analysis, presenting her findings at an conferences in the maritime sector can provide valuable connection with KIDI remains a cornerstone of her
academic conference in China in November 2022. opportunities to share research findings and develop academic and professional aspirations.
Her research deepened after attending the 2022 collaborative solutions. I hope Korea will host more
World Island Cultural Diversity Forum in Sinan, where international forums to further this goal.”
workshops on island branding inspired further study.

“I wanted to understand the policies behind the
Purple Islands’ rise as a global tourist attraction,”
she said. “Their holistic approach, from welfare
improvements to waste management and guided
tourism programs, is a blueprint for other islands.
There’s much to learn from their experience.”

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