The 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair Organizing Committee (hereinafter referred to the Organizing Committee) announced that approximately 120,000 visitors visited the main venue and the sub-venue, the Yeosu World Expo venue, on Hangeul Day, the 9th, to share the beginning of the long weekend. At the main venue, about 66,000 people enjoyed the Yeosu Jazz Festival at the Open Stage where the autumn sunset and the sea harmonize, and toured contents that blend exhibitions and experiences, such as the Seahorse Aquarium on Marine Ecological Island, which was newly introduced after the reopening. Subsequently, over 50,000 people flocked to the "World Gimbap & Salt Festival" held at the sub-venue, Yeosu Expo Convention Center, making both the main venue and the sub-venue bustling side by side.

On the 10th (Saturday), the abalone and egg gimbap tasting event linked with the "World Gimbap & Salt Festival" will be moved to the lawn in front of the Theme Island at the main venue to further raise the atmosphere. Starting at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, a total of 600 servings of gimbap containing the taste of the southern region (Namdo) will be provided—300 servings per session—satisfying the visitors' hunger and adding strength to their afternoon viewing. The combination of the fair and related events is expected to generate visitor influx and joint promotion effects.

Starting at 10:00 AM on the same day, the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives' "2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Seafood Special Discount Exhibition" is being held at the main venue square, selling filefish, conger eel, cuttlefish, abalone, dried yellow croaker (gulbi), and dolgim (gim seaweed) at 20% to 50% discounts compared to market prices. Visitors' footsteps continued to the tasting booths, and from 4:00 PM, a time sale and a "memories of drawing lots" event are taking place. This creates a flow where visitors who viewed the exhibitions during the day shop at the square in the late afternoon and head straight to the Open Stage, extending the fairground's day into the evening. The special discount exhibition will also be held on the 17th (Saturday).

In addition, at 6:30 PM, "THE BIG SHOW," organized through the talent donations of broadcaster Park Kyung-rim and musical actress Ivy, will take the Open Stage. With the Minam Cruise fireworks painting the Yeosu sea where the sunset has settled, it is expected to color the autumn island's days and nights in various ways.

Bolstered by this viewing enthusiasm, the Organizing Committee expects cumulative visitors to surpass 1 million on the 10th and is busy preparing a special event to welcome the 1 millionth visitor. Generous prizes, including accommodation vouchers, will be presented to the 1 millionth visitor, and the joy of breaking the 1 million visitor mark will be shared with the visitors who came to the fair.

Kim Jong-gi, Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee, said, "We thank you for the interest and support you have sent to the Yeosu World Island Fair," adding, "We will continue to listen to visitors' opinions and constantly supplement areas that fall short to do our best to present rich sights and things to enjoy until the final day of the event."

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