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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Information and Statistics Team:
Ensuring Accurate Data
on Inhabited Islands
On-Site Survey of Ulleungdo and Jukdo Islands
Vol.03
Seongeun Kim “Every island has its own unique story. Our job is to turn those stories into statistics.”
Sumin Jang “Real statistics don’t just capture numbers—they capture the breath of life in the field.”
Researchers Seongeun Kim and
Kim Seongeun, Researcher of KIDI Jang Sumin, Researcher of KIDI Their mission was to conduct the
Sumin Jang from the Information
and Statistics Team at the Korea
Island Development Institute
(KIDI) visited Ulleungdo Island.
Inhabited Island Status Survey,
a joint initiative by KIDI and the
Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
From September 4 to 6, 2024, the
researchers stayed on Ulleungdo,
where they interviewed local
officials, carried out on-site
investigations, and engaged with
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residents.
The research team visited the Ulleung-eup R&D Station
Day 1: September 4
Office, the Water and Sewerage Department,
and KEPCO’s Ulleung branch.
As of the end of 2023, 9,042 residents were
registered in the Ulleungdo system. However,
officials estimate the actual population is
10–20% lower, making accurate counts difficult.
Dokdo Island has a registered population of
34—only one of whom is a full-time resident;
the rest are part of the Dokdo Coast Guard.
Water on Ulleungdo is supplied via local and
village systems. Electricity is provided by a
KEPCO-run power station. On Jukdo, a nearby
islet of Ulleungdo, residents rely on self-
generated power—similar to Dokdo, which also
uses its own generation system.
As part of the project, KIDI surveyed a total of 39
The survey period ran from May to September and
islands—including 35 that could not be classified
through the public resident registration system alone.
covered a range of topics, including island profiles,
population data, infrastructure, ferry and excursion
ship operations, and land connectivity.
Key areas of focus included: ① General Island Info
② Population ③ Geographic Data ④ Government
Offices⑤ Healthcare Facilities ⑥ Schools ⑦ Daily
Living (e.g., water, electricity) ⑧ Public Sewage
Facilities ⑨ Licensed Facilities ⑩ Ferry/Excursion
Ship Services ⑪ Land Link Status
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