The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") held a preliminary rehearsal on August 29 at the main exhibition site in Dolsan Jinmo District, Yeosu, attracting some 5,000 citizens.
This preliminary rehearsal went beyond a simple pre-opening event, designed to inspect the expo's contents and viewing environment from actual visitors' perspectives and check areas for improvement prior to the opening. The Committee operated the entire process—from actual visitors' admission to viewing, movement, stay, and exit—inspecting operation systems across 14 fields, including traffic and parking, entry and exit, exhibitions and experiences, food and beverage, and safety and medical services.
Starting with the opening at 10 a.m., visitors' footsteps continued, and citizens toured major exhibition halls, including the Theme Island, and outdoor spaces.
One of the most distinct strengths identified in the preliminary rehearsal was the viewing environment tailored for family-rate visitors.
Visitors accompanied by children positively evaluated contents that children can enjoy, such as Treasure Island, and convenience facilities for family visitors. Convenience facilities and sales facilities prepared throughout the venue were also evaluated as elements supporting visitors' stays.
In addition, outdoor spaces set against Yeosu's sea and natural environment were confirmed as another charm of the expo venue. As spaces to view the sea and rest, alongside the exhibition halls, were configured together, they showed the beauty of Yeosu where islands and the sea harmonize and the charm of the islands.
However, along with these strengths, opinions were also raised that information on “what to look at and how to move around in the expo venue” needs to be provided more intuitively.
Tasks Revealed Through Rehearsal Focus on ‘Viewing Experience’ Rather Than ‘Content’
Synthesizing field opinions, it was identified that improvements are needed in information accessibility and movement convenience that visitors feel while using the venue.
In particular, opinions were raised that improvements are needed in the guidance system, such as comprehensive map guides and current location markers within the venue, and a guidance system that allows visitors to grasp the location and nature of exhibition halls at a glance. A visitor who visited the preliminary rehearsal expressed the opinion, “To efficiently move around the large venue and various exhibition spaces, I hope the guidance system where you can easily check your current location and next destination is supplemented.”
Such field responses are significant in that this preliminary rehearsal did not just end at checking the "completion of each exhibition hall," but served as an opportunity to inspect how visitors experience the entire expo.
“Inconveniences Identified in Rehearsal, Supplemented Before Opening”…Improved and Supplemented Centered on Actual Visitors
Accordingly, the Committee plans to analyze opinions identified in the preliminary rehearsal by field, preferentially take action on matters that can be improved immediately, and improve matters requiring additional supplementation as much as possible before the official opening.
Kim Jong-gi, Secretary-General of the Committee, said, “The preliminary rehearsal is not a place to show a completed expo, but a place prepared to check and improve inconveniences in advance from the standpoint of actual visitors,” adding, “We will closely review various on-site opinions from citizens and the media and supplement them so that visitors can enjoy the expo more conveniently and safely until the opening.”
He continued, “Along with exhibitions and experiences presented at the main venue, after the official opening, programs where you can experience the natural and cultural characteristics of each island, such as Gaedo and Geumodo, will also be operated,” adding, “We will prepare until the end so that it can be an expo where you can directly experience the diverse charms of Yeosu’s islands.”
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo will be held for 61 days from September 5 to November 4 under the theme “Island, Connecting Sea and Future” at the Dolsan Jinmo District main venue, Yeosu World Expo venue, and areas of Gaedo and Geumodo.
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