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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World I want to continue I want to continue Q. You were actively involved in the Island ISLAND Scene
Village Volunteer Union, the predecessor
studying and promoting islands
to Sum’s Up. Could you tell us about
to drive meaningful change
that journey?
studying and
Q. Hello. Please introduce yourself and
We started in 2016 as a club, became an informal
the Uninhabited Island Theme Research
promoting islands
group in 2018, a nonprofit civic group in 2021,
Institute.
to drive meaningful
As a civic group, the Island Village Volunteer
Hello, I’m Yoon Seung-cheol, Director of the
Union engaged in cleanup campaigns, free
Uninhabited Island Theme Research Institute and and finally a nonprofit corporation in July 2023.
change President of the nonprofit organization Sum’s Up Korean medicine services, and volunteer work
(formerly Island Village Volunteer Union, IVU). I for island residents. As a corporation, Sum’s Up
have also served as a Youth Advisor for the Korea now focuses on collecting and monitoring marine
Island Development Institute since 2022. I first waste—identifying types and sources of waste,
set foot on an uninhabited island in 2014 and compiling statistics, and aiming to reduce marine 2023 Workcamp on Dochodo Island
began exploring them with others in 2015. That debris. We hope to be officially recognized as (Jeollanam-do × KIDI Youth Advisory Group)
Yoon Seung-cheol is a passionate island traveler, a civic partner for the National Coastal Debris
experience made me realize how much marine
organizer, tireless advocate, and researcher. Monitoring Program due to the sustainability and
debris was on these islands. Cleaning up the
Drawing from his love for islands, he engages systemization of our work.
islands with others gave me a sense of fulfillment,
in various island related activities as a member
which led to the founding of the Uninhabited
of the Korea Island Development Institute’s
Island Theme Research Institute in 2016. Since
Youth Advisory Group and as the Director of the “Islands Have Infinite Potential Also, every Korean island has unique characteristics,
then, we’ve carried out environmental cleanups
Uninhabited Island Theme Research Institute. culture, and history, and that diversity is a crucial
and group volunteer activities. While the institute — Let’s Keep the Interest Going”
02 Photos: Lim Jae-woo, Yoon Seung-cheol once ran various programs and research projects, keyword for developing tourism content.
Vol. we recently paused most activities except Q. What are the current issues with
volunteer work to prepare for a fresh start.
uninhabited islands, and what would
you like to see happen? KIDI Youth Advisory Group
Director of the The biggest issue is that uninhabited islands are — A Young Perspective on Islands
Uninhabited Island
not being fully utilized. Most of Korea’s islands are
Research Institute
uninhabited, and 13 of the 23 maritime baseline
islands—56%—are also uninhabited, making them Q. Tell us about your involvement in the
Interview with Korea Island Development Institute’s
Yoon Seung-cheol strategically important. They also host unique
ecosystems. Other countries have turned their Youth Advisory Group.
uninhabited islands into ecotourism or marine
We provided insights on island-related issues from
leisure spots and educational centers. I hope
a youth perspective and explored practical ideas.
similar efforts will be made in Korea and that more
Regular meetings allowed us to share findings
people take an interest in these islands.
and examine various case studies. I especially
appreciated hearing different viewpoints from
diverse participants. Although I couldn’t attend
Q. What do you think is the true value of
every session, I remember the 2023 Workcamp
islands?
on Bigeumdo Island, where youth engaged with
I believe it lies in fundamental rights and diversity. local students and international students. It was
We can’t fully talk about island value until the a meaningful experience, and I’m grateful the
residents who play a vital role in preserving these Institute genuinely listened to and incorporated
places enjoy equal rights as citizens. our voices.
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