Page 24 - 250731_IslandsOfKorea_Magazine_vol2

Islands of Korea, Islands of the World 1 111.. 44..~~55.. By organizing and running the market Abou t KIDI

2 2002233..
themselves, residents experienced firsthand
KIDI Business
the potential for income generation and
long-term sustainability. The success of this
pilot project provided valuable confidence
From a Sunset Spot to a Community Hub
led efforts.
Seokmo Night Market
(Seokmodo, Ganghwa County) and motivation for continuing community-

Seokmodo Island is one of the many islands under
Ganghwa County in northwestern Incheon. Just
1.5 km west of Oepo Port, the island is home
to hidden gems like Bomunsa Temple—one of
Korea’s three major Buddhist pilgrimage sites,
Minmeoru Beach with its mudflats revealed at low
tide, and Nakgasan Mountain offering panoramic
views of the West Sea.

But Seokmodo’s real treasure appears at dusk.
As the sun sinks into the West Sea, the sky turns
crimson, merging with the ocean until the line
between land and sea disappears. Anyone who
has witnessed a Seokmodo sunset understands
02 why it is considered one of the top three sunset
“At first, we weren’t sure
Vol. spots on Korea’s west coast. anyone would come all the way here.

Previously, reaching Seokmodo required a ferry But after seeing the outcome over
from Seokpo Port, but the opening of the Seokmo two days, we’re absolutely thrilled.”
Bridge in June 2017 connected it to the mainland.
In 2023, Seokmo 1-ri was selected for Phase 1 of Jeong Jae-ryong, Village Head of
the Island Community Development Project, and Seokmo 1-ri, Chair of the Island Community
its pilot initiative was held at the Meeting Plaza at Development Committee
the bridge’s end.

Originally built in 2021 to boost the local economy,
the Meeting Plaza welcomed more visitors
than ever before during a two-day
market event on November 4 and 5.

Local specialties such as Ganghwa
Island rice, salted shrimp,
and turnips—grown and
harvested by Seokmo 1-ri
residents—were sold at the
market. Additional attrac-
tions included food stalls,
live performances by a
village band, and a themed
photo booth, delighting
visitors and increasing en-
24 gagement. 2525