While 480 of these are inhabited, 2,910 remain uninhabited, with 16 islands currently occupied by only a single resident. This data marks a shift toward precision-based administrative management, reflecting a slight increase from previous counts due to improved surveying technology.
How Does South Korea Rank Globally in Island Ownership?
South Korea ranks 16th globally in terms of the number of islands, a position established by updated government statistics as of late 2024. The global leader in island territory is Sweden, which boasts hundreds of thousands of islands, followed by Norway and Finland. Other nations with significant island counts include Canada, the United States (which has thousands in Alaska alone), and Indonesia. South Korea’s total of 3,390 islands places it behind neighbors like Japan (6,852) and China (7,226), but ahead of countries such as Cuba (4,195) and North Korea (3,579).
The “Day of the Island,” celebrated annually on August 8, was established in 2018. The date was chosen because the Chinese character for island (島) contains the number eight, and August represents the peak summer season for maritime tourism.
Which Regions Hold the Most Islands?
The distribution of islands is heavily concentrated in the southwest, with South Jeolla Province (Jeollanam-do) accounting for 59.5% of the national total.
- South Jeolla Province: 2,018 islands
- South Gyeongsang Province: 555 islands
- South Chungcheong Province: 285 islands
- Incheon: 192 islands
- North Jeolla Province: 130 islands
In contrast, the eastern coast shows a starkly different geography. 강원도 (Gangwon Province) possesses 29 islands, all of which are uninhabited, while Ulsan holds only four, also with no permanent residents.
What Challenges Do Inhabited Islands Face?
While islands are often romanticized in literature and tourism, administrative data reveals a trend of population decline. Of the 813,475 people living on islands—just 1.59% of the national population—many reside in aging communities. There are currently 77 islands with fewer than 10 residents, and 142 islands where the population ranges between 10 and 50 people. The extreme case of 16 “one-person islands,” including Chungnam’s Siru Island and Gyeongnam’s Byeolhakdo, highlights the vulnerability of these remote communities to extinction.
Pro Tip: Data-Driven Development
The government is transitioning its approach to island management from “experience-based” to “data-based.” By utilizing 92 specific survey categories, authorities aim to identify and support traffic-vulnerable areas, ensuring that remote islands receive necessary infrastructure improvements.
How Do Island Sizes Vary Across the Nation?
The scale of Korean islands ranges from massive, self-sustaining ecosystems to tiny, surf-battered rocks. Jeju Island is the largest at 1,833.162 km², serving as a unique ecological and cultural hub. Following Jeju are Geojedo (382.2 km²) and Jindo (374.981 km²). At the opposite end of the spectrum is Marado, the southernmost point, measuring just 0.32 km² with a coastline of 2.7 km. Despite its small size, Marado supports a community of 81 people, underscoring the resilience of island life.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did the official count of islands increase?
- The increase is attributed to more precise surveying technology and data-based administration, which now account for small land fragments previously omitted from official records.
- Are all Korean islands inhabited?
- No. Out of 3,390 islands, only 480 are inhabited, meaning the vast majority (2,910) are uninhabited.
- Which province has the highest island population?
- While South Jeolla has the most islands by count, South Gyeongsang Province holds the largest island population, largely due to the presence of major islands like Geojedo.
How do you view the future of Korea’s remote island communities? Share your thoughts in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into regional geography and maritime policy.
