Ulleungdo Struggles With Declining Tourism And Ship Route Disruptions

Published on September 16, 2025

Ulleungdo, a picturesque land disconnected nan eastbound seashore of South Korea, is facing a troubling diminution successful tourism, causing distress among its residents. In caller years, tourist visits person seen a noticeable downturn, and nan suspension of cardinal passenger vessel routes has only exacerbated nan situation. As a result, immoderate islanders person begun to protest, voicing their vexation complete nan worsening conditions and calling for contiguous action from section and nationalist authorities.

Protests Erupt Over Disruptions to Passenger Ship Routes

On September 6, a station titled The rider vessel rumor must beryllium normalized sloppy of nan logic appeared connected nan Ulleung County Office website, underscoring nan urgency of nan situation. Written by an anonymous resident, nan station took purpose astatine nan section leadership, including nan County Mayor of Ulleung, National Assembly members, and different elected officials, questioning their work successful nan matter.

The station specifically highlighted nan cancellation of respective important maritime routes. The Hupo route, which connects Ulleungdo pinch nan mainland via Hupo Port successful Uljin, had already ceased operations owed to financial troubles faced by its operator, H Marine. The Gangneung route, linking Ulleungdo pinch Gangneung Port successful Gangwon Province, is besides expected to extremity soon. Furthermore, nan El Dorado Express, a salient ferry operating betwixt Pohang Passenger Terminal and Ulleungdo, has been temporarily retired of work since April owed to mechanical failures.

Frustration complete nan business is widespread, pinch immoderate residents expressing interest astir nan sustainability of land life. Such sentiments bespeak nan increasing unease among nan organization arsenic basal proscription options dwindle.

Ferries and Their Impact connected Ulleungdo’s Economy

Passenger ferries are basal to nan island’s system and regular life. The El Dorado Express, which typically accommodated up to 970 passengers, has been replaced by nan overmuch smaller Sunrise ferry, pinch a capacity of conscionable 442 passengers. This alteration has led to concerns complete overcrowding and agelong waits, further discouraging visitors from visiting nan island.

Meanwhile, nan Sister 5 Ship, which runs betwixt Gangneung Port and Ulleungdo, is besides facing an uncertain future. The ship’s operational position is successful jeopardy owed to a conflict pinch Gangneung City complete nan renewal of its docking installation permit, further complicating nan proscription challenges faced by nan island.

Local Governments Seek Solutions to Maritime Challenges

In consequence to these issues, some nan Ulleung County Council and Uljin County Council person travel together to talk imaginable solutions. A gathering held precocious past period addressed really to resoluteness nan maritime proscription crisis, pinch Lee Sang-sik, president of nan Ulleung County Council, emphasizing nan value of sustainable maritime carrier for nan residents of Ulleungdo.

Additionally, Bae Sang-yong, head of nan Ulleung County Development Research Institute, projected that nan authorities reinstate definite policies, specified arsenic nan rider vessel load rate, which was abolished pursuing nan Sewol Ferry disaster. By lowering nan period for caller way approvals and bolstering nan competitiveness of existing operators, Bae hopes to revitalize nan island’s proscription infrastructure.

The Financial Struggles of Ulleungdo’s Shipping Industry

Despite these efforts, nan financial struggles of shipping companies operating successful nan region make it uncertain whether these measures will beryllium capable to flooded nan proscription woes. According to caller reports, tourist numbers to Ulleungdo person continued to decline, from 461,375 successful 2022 to 380,522 successful 2024. The business has worsened successful 2025, pinch only 209,006 visitors by July, representing a important driblet from nan 231,325 visitors during nan aforesaid play successful 2024.

Tourism Decline Attributed to Various Factors

The diminution successful visitors tin beryllium attributed to respective factors, pinch nan post-COVID surge successful overseas travel and nan suspension of cardinal rider vessel routes being nan superior causes. However, galore visitors mention nan high prices connected nan land arsenic a awesome deterrent. As Ulleungdo’s system is heavy reliant connected tourism, nan operation of less visitors and rising costs has placed important unit connected section businesses.

Rising Living Costs and Controversies Over Prices

Another cardinal facet successful nan island’s economical struggles is nan soaring costs of living. Gasoline prices connected Ulleungdo person surpassed 300 Korean won per liter, making it importantly much costly than connected nan mainland. Rental car fees are much than double nan prices connected nan mainland, further deterring imaginable tourists.

Moreover, allegations of overpricing person contributed to nan island’s antagonistic reputation. In July, a edifice faced disapproval aft a YouTube transmission exposed it for trading a 120g serving of pork belly for 15,000 Korean won, which galore considered exorbitant. Similarly, a taxi driver was criticized aft a video revealed him taking a rider successful nan other guidance and charging double nan expected fare. Such incidents person added substance to nan increasing discontent among some residents and tourists.

The Future of Ulleungdo’s Tourism and Local Economy

As Ulleungdo struggles to navigate these challenges, nan early of its tourism and section system remains uncertain. While location person been efforts by section authorities to reside nan issues surrounding maritime transportation, it remains to beryllium seen whether these measures will beryllium capable to reverse nan downward inclination successful visitant numbers.

The island’s residents, galore of whom trust connected tourism for their livelihoods, are calling for urgent action to resoluteness nan proscription disruptions and make Ulleungdo an charismatic destination erstwhile again. Whether nan land tin flooded these difficulties and rebuild its estimation arsenic a sought-after tourer spot depends mostly connected nan swift solution of these pressing issues.