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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World
Q. Content development must be a
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Vol. major concern for you.
Yes, very much so. I was inspired by islands in
Japan like Teshima and Naoshima in Kagawa
Prefecture, which have revitalized themselves
as “art islands.” We’d love to bring similar cultural
content to Hongdo, or perhaps create a space
suitable for workcations. Right now, most visitors
come for day trips or one-night stays, but we
envision a model where guests stay for three
to four days, enjoying fishing, hiking, cultural
experiences, and more. We’re actively discussing
how to make that possible.
A Stronger Connection with
the Korea Island Development
Institute
Q. Since the establishment of the Korea
Island Development Institute (KIDI),
what kind of support have you received?
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Through the KIDI Island Academy, I had ISLAND Scene
Q. As a graduate of the first KIDI Island
Academy cohort, what did you gain
from the experience? And what role do
you hope KIDI will continue to play?
the chance to visit other islands, observe
their development, and participate in group
discussions. It was a valuable opportunity to
exchange ideas with people from different islands
and reflect deeply on Hongdo’s own direction. I
hope KIDI continues to engage with residents as
they do now and provides more platforms for in-
depth discussions. There are so many ways to
enjoy island life—if people had better access to
that information and experience, I believe many
more would be drawn to visit. I’d like KIDI to help
island residents take pride in where they live.
A Vision for the Future of Hongdo
Q. Lastly, how do you hope Hongdo will
evolve in the future?
Having a nearby organization to communicate
I want people who visit Hongdo to be inspired We will continue doing our utmost to develop
with and share our concerns has been incredibly to return. Even if we’re not perfect, I want them new tourism content and transform the island
encouraging for Hongdo residents. KIDI has
to feel that the island is clean, welcoming, and into a joyful and fulfilling travel destination. I
provided us with valuable benchmarking
thoughtfully managed. I hope Hongdo becomes invite everyone to keep an eye on Hongdo as
examples and insight into current trends. We
a place that exceeds expectations—a destination it transforms into an island of unforgettable
hope to build even stronger ties with other
that leaves a lasting impression. experiences.
islands through KIDI. It would be great to create
integrated island travel routes across different
regions.
Q. What issues were discussed during
the On-site Island Forum held in
Hongdo in October 2023?
The round-trip ferry fare to and from the island
currently costs around 110,000 KRW (about
80 USD). We discussed the need to introduce
a public ferry system to lower transportation
costs and make the island more accessible to
visitors. There were also suggestions to replace
aging vessels. Additionally, since residents have
to transport gasoline themselves, we proposed
establishing regular cargo ship service. While
these issues can’t be resolved overnight, we
believe that ongoing interest and support will
gradually improve the island’s living conditions.
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