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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Korea Island Development A Study on the Innovation of the Island KIDI R&D

Institute R&D 2022
Transportation System, Including the Passenger
Ship Public Service System
A Steppingstone Towards Becoming a Leading Island
Research Institute

Overview of Research Projects

Among Korea’s many beautiful words, “island” stands out, evoking a sense 1. Necessity of Research
of wonder and excitement.
- This study investigates the current state of transportation systems in Korea’s island regions to propose innovative
For travelers, islands symbolize thrilling destinations; for residents, they
policies ensuring island residents’ right to mobility.
represent a place of hard-earned livelihood; and for the nation, they act as
- Compared to mainland regions, island transportation systems face significant disadvantages. An in-depth analysis is
vital guardians of territorial sovereignty. Depending on the perspective, the
essential to identify specific inconveniences and areas for improvement.
meaning of “island” varies significantly.
- The study aims to devise practical policy alternatives to guarantee island residents’ right to travel, emphasizing a
comprehensive and systematic approach tailored to the unique needs of islands.

2. Current State of Island Transportation Systems
- Maritime transportation laws and systems are primarily overseen by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Coastal
Given these diverse viewpoints, why is dedicated island research essential?
passenger ships are the main transit method, supported by subsidies for auxiliary routes and fare discounts for island
Vol.01 Unlike mainland areas, islands possess unique characteristics that require tailored policies. However, the management residents.
of islands has traditionally been fragmented among various government agencies based on their classification— - In contrast, there are no specialized laws or systems for land-based transportation on islands. Public transportation
infrastructure on islands remains significantly underdeveloped compared to mainland regions. Projects such as
whether uninhabited, inhabited, or subject to an Ecosystem Conservation Order.
bridge construction have connected 95 inhabited islands to the mainland out of a total of 464 inhabited islands.
Consequently, policies, resources, and management systems have often lacked coordination, leaving islands
categorized as exceptions within inland policy frameworks. This has created a significant gap, with no centralized
channel to propose comprehensive development strategies or foster effective communication.
3. Issues Identified in Island Transportation Systems
In 2021, Korea established the Korea Island Development Institute (KIDI), the world’s first national research institute
- To systematically identify the challenges within island transportation systems, the study conducted a comprehensive
dedicated to islands. In 2022, KIDI initiated research projects addressing mid- to long-term challenges such as
analysis that included surveys on residents’ satisfaction with transportation, evaluations of accessibility to transport
population decline and improving settlement conditions to directly benefit island residents. Moreover, a Statistics
facilities, and case studies categorized by island type through on-site investigations.
Database on Island Regions (DB) Project was launched to consolidate fragmented island-related data and build an
- As a result, the study identified:
integrated platform for statistics and information.
· Seven major issues in maritime transportation systems,
· Two significant challenges in land transportation systems, and
KIDI has also independently identified and advanced island development projects, striving to ensure that basic rights
· Four common problems affecting both maritime and land transportation systems.
are accessible to all, including island residents. These efforts aim to transform Korean islands into habitable spaces for
- These findings were then used to develop innovative solutions aimed at addressing these challenges effectively.
residents and appealing destinations for all citizens.
The nine research projects published in 2022 represent a vital first step for KIDI as a national research institute, setting
the foundation for its growth into the world’s leading island research institute.
4. Proposed Innovations for Island Transportation
On Islands of Korea, Islands of the World, readers can explore these projects through concise, keyword-focused
- Based on the findings, six categories of innovative solutions were proposed:
summaries. For comprehensive findings, visit the Korea Island Development Institute’s website.
· Expand the Passenger Ship Public Service System to address maritime transportation gaps.
· Transition passenger ship services to a public transportation model, creating a true island public transit network.
· Introduce and manage a specialized tourist road system to enhance access and connectivity to and within islands.
· Strengthen links between islands and metropolitan public transportation while managing traffic flow within islands
to mitigate negative impacts.
52 · Adopt new transportation technologies such as airplanes, helicopters, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to improve 53
accessibility.