VISIT K-ISLAND 2026 (2026 섬 방문의 해) is a nationwide island tourism campaign that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Island Development Institute (한국섬진흥원) are running throughout 2026. It has no fixed venue: you sign up for programs online, then travel to the islands yourself. Timing matters, though. The second round of the flagship island travel subsidy ended on November 4, and no third round has been announced. If you’re planning an island trip from November onward, start by looking into the separate 50% ferry fare support that Yeosu City is offering through December.
What Is VISIT K-ISLAND 2026?
The campaign aims to shine a new light on the ecological and cultural assets of Korea’s islands and to promote island tourism to the world. Most participation follows a simple pattern: apply for a program online, then visit islands around the country in person.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizers | Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Korea Island Development Institute |
| Period | Throughout 2026 (as stated on the official website) |
| Format | Online applications and island visits |
| Official website | https://www.visitisland.kr |
| Phone | 070-4337-5058 / 070-4814-4922 |
| info@visitisland.kr | |
| Inquiry hours | 09:00–18:00 (break 12:00–13:00) |
Some sources list the period as March 1 to December 31, 2026, but those dates could not be confirmed on the official website. You may also see an address given as 6 Seoneosijang-gil, Jungang-dong, Yeosu (전남광주통합특별시 여수시 선어시장길 6, 중앙동). No official notice mentions a visitor event at that location, so don’t head there expecting to find a venue.
Which Programs Have Already Ended?
The programs below are past their announced dates. No cancellation or suspension notices were issued, but no schedules could be confirmed for after November 6.
| Program | Announced dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Proclamation ceremony (Yi Sun-sin Square, Yeosu) | May 2, 2026 | Ended |
| Island travel subsidy, round 1 applications | June 17–June 30 | Ended |
| Island travel subsidy, round 2 applications | Closed September 21 at 6 p.m. | Ended |
| Island travel subsidy, round 2 travel period | October 1–November 4 | Ended |
| Chajagago Sipeun Seom (찾아가고 싶은 섬) visit event (88 islands, nationwide edition) | July 1–September 27 (per press reports) | Ended |
| Jeonnam-Gwangju Seom Bangap Yeohaeng (전남광주 섬 반값여행), a half-price island trip program | August 29–November 4 | Travel period ended |
| 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo | September 5–November 4 | Ended |
Anyone who joined the half-price island trip program must request a refund through the JG TOUR app within 10 days of finishing the trip. If you’ve already traveled, keep a close eye on that deadline.
What’s Still Available in November and December?
The one benefit confirmed to run through this period is Yeosu City’s ferry fare support. Press reports describe it as a separate Yeosu City benefit rather than part of the VISIT K-ISLAND 2026 campaign.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefit | 50% support on ferry fares |
| Period | September–December |
| Eligibility | Residents of other regions visiting Yeosu’s islands |
| Note | May close early if the budget runs out |
| How to apply | Not confirmed |
The status or dates of the following programs could not be confirmed, so check with the official website or the contact points above before counting on them.
- 1-in 1-seom (1인 1섬) event: The name means “one person, one island.” The official page text gives no dates, so it’s unclear whether the event has ended.
- Badaro (바다로) program: A ferry fare discount for young people, listed on the official schedule without dates.
- 12th Seom Yeohaeng Yeongsang Gongmojeon (제12회 섬 여행 영상 공모전): An island travel video contest, listed on the official schedule without dates.
- Sandai Music Festival (산다이 뮤직 페스티벌): Listed on the official schedule without dates.
The official schedule was posted as an image, so its November and December entries could not be confirmed as text. Other events may be listed there, so it’s worth looking at the original schedule too.
Island Travel Subsidy: Conditions and Required Documents
New applications are closed, and the details below reflect round 2. Only travelers who received a selection text message and traveled between October 1 and November 4 can submit proof.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Any adult |
| Selection | By lottery, with results sent by text message |
| Travel conditions | Stay at least 1 night and 2 days on an eligible island and spend at least 100,000 KRW (~$75 USD) |
| Subsidy | 100,000 KRW (~$75 USD), paid to one representative per team |
| Proof deadline | Within 2 weeks after the trip |
| Required documents | ID, copy of bankbook, and round-trip ferry tickets or receipts |
| Payment | Within 10 business days after documents are complete |
The subsidy can’t be combined with other support programs. Simplified receipts or bank transfer records submitted on their own aren’t accepted, and neither are corporate card payments.
Eligible destinations are the 163 islands that have no land connection and are reached by boat. Jeju Island itself is excluded, leaving six islands in the Jeju area: Udo, Biyangdo, Sangchujado, Hachujado, Gapado, and Marado.
| Region | Number of islands |
|---|---|
| Gyeonggi and Incheon | 22 |
| Chungnam | 13 |
| Jeonbuk | 11 |
| Jeonnam-Gwangju | 75 |
| Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam | 36 |
| Jeju | 6 |
How Much Does It Cost?
No participation fee for the campaign itself could be confirmed. Travel expenses are your own, and even the island travel subsidy worked as a reimbursement: you paid first, then submitted proof to receive the money.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Campaign participation fee | Not confirmed |
| Island travel subsidy (round 2, ended) | 100,000 KRW (~$75 USD) paid after spending at least 100,000 KRW (~$75 USD) |
| Yeosu City ferry fare support (through December) | 50% of the fare |
How to Get to VISIT K-ISLAND 2026 Destinations
With no set venue and eligible islands scattered across the country, your route depends on which island you pick. The table below shows the confirmed route for travelers heading to Yeosu’s islands.
| From | To | Transport | Travel time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station | Yeosu EXPO Station | KTX | 3 hours 7 minutes–3 hours 19 minutes | 47,500 KRW (~$36 USD), one-way adult standard class |
These figures come from the November 7, 2026 timetable as cited on a private website, so double-check with Korail before you leave.
If you’re driving to catch a boat to Yeosu’s islands, these are the parking rates at Yeosu Coastal Ferry Terminal (여수 연안여객선터미널), 17 Yeogaekseonteomineol-gil (여객선터미널길 17), phone 061-810-0124. Note that this isn’t dedicated event parking.
| Passenger car parking | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | Free |
| First 30 minutes | 500 KRW (~$0.40 USD) |
| Each additional 30 minutes | 500 KRW (~$0.40 USD) |
| Per day | 5,000 KRW (~$3.70 USD) |
Tips Before You Go
- Check benefit dates first. Many of the main programs wrapped up by November 4, so don’t plan around older notices.
- Look into the Yeosu fare support early. It may close before December if the budget runs out, and you’ll need to find out how to apply before you leave.
- Call during weekday daytime hours. Inquiries are handled from 09:00 to 18:00, with a break from 12:00 to 13:00.
- Be ready for Korean-only information. No foreign-language menu could be found in the official website’s text. That doesn’t prove there isn’t one, but a translation app will help you read notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for the island travel subsidy?
No, applications are closed. Round 2 applications closed on September 21 at 6 p.m., and the round 2 travel period ended on November 4.
Will there be a third round of the island travel subsidy?
No third-round announcement has been found so far. Press reports from last June also described the travel expense support as two rounds. Check the official website for any further notice.
What conditions and documents are required to receive the 100,000 KRW island travel subsidy?
You had to be selected in the lottery, stay at least 1 night and 2 days, and spend at least 100,000 KRW (~$75 USD). Within 2 weeks after the trip, you then submitted your ID, a copy of your bankbook, and round-trip ferry tickets or receipts. These are the round 2 rules, and new applications are closed.
Which islands are eligible, and is Jeju Island itself included?
Jeju Island itself is not included. Eligible destinations are the 163 islands reached by boat, and in the Jeju area those are Udo, Biyangdo, Sangchujado, Hachujado, Gapado, and Marado.
When did the Chajagago Sipeun Seom island visit verification event end?
According to press reports, it ran until September 27. It began on July 1. The official event notice is an image, so these dates were confirmed through press coverage.
Can I get a ferry fare discount if I visit Yeosu’s islands in November or December?
Yes, if you live outside Yeosu, you qualify for 50% fare support through December. It may close early if the budget runs out. The exact way to apply hasn’t been confirmed, so check separately before you leave.
How do I get from Seoul to Yeosu?
Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Yeosu EXPO Station, a trip of 3 hours 7 minutes to 3 hours 19 minutes. A one-way adult standard class ticket costs 47,500 KRW (~$36 USD). These details are based on the November 7, 2026 timetable, so please confirm them with Korail.
Is information available in English?
Whether English support is available has not been confirmed. No foreign-language menu could be found in the official website’s text, although menus displayed by scripts weren’t checked. You can ask at 070-4337-5058, 070-4814-4922, or info@visitisland.kr.
