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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World KIDI’s MOUs for Building an Island Policy Network Abou t KIDI

A Special Partnership
KIDI Business

with Korea Maritime & Ocean University

Now in its third year, the Korea Island Development Institute (KIDI) has signed MOUs with
13 organizations— including public research institutions, national universities, private
organizations, and international institutions—to pave the way for a brighter future for Korean
islands. Among these, a particularly special partnership was formed in April 2023 with Korea
Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU). Here, we share some stories from that collaboration.

August 8 marks Island Day—a national day designated by law to raise awareness of the value
and significance of islands, symbolized by the infinity symbol (∞) to reflect their endless
potential. The 4th Island Day celebration in 2023 was scheduled to take place in Ulleung
County, Gyeongsangbuk-do. However, the event was unfortunately canceled due to Typhoon
Khanun moving northward. This was a great disappointment not only for KIDI, which had
prepared a rich program, but also for partner institutions that were looking forward to the
event—most notably, Korea Maritime & Ocean University, which had signed an MOU with
02 KIDI just four months earlier.
Vol. A Shared Commitment to Island
and Ocean Development
Korea’s First
Four-Year National University
On April 5, 2023, KIDI and KMOU held a signing
After Liberation: KMOU
ceremony to formalize their cooperation. KIDI
President Oh Dong-ho and KMOU President
Korea Maritime & Ocean University was
Do Deok-hee pledged to build a collaborative
founded in 1945—right after Korea’s liberation
from Japanese colonial rule—at a time framework for mutual growth. Their aim: to design
when the country lacked even a single ship. and implement joint programs that contribute to
Established by visionaries in the barren field research, business, and education in the fields of
of maritime affairs, KMOU became Korea’s first
island and maritime affairs.
four-year national university.

Today, with three colleges, KMOU stands as a
Key areas of cooperation included :
leading maritime-specialized comprehensive
university. It continues to produce talented - Joint research, business, and educational
maritime professionals who influence not only initiatives to advance the goals of both
Korea’s political and economic spheres but also organizations
global maritime affairs.
- Co-hosting academic events and training
programs
- Sharing institutional infrastructure and facilities
- Exchanging island and maritime-related data and
global networks
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