Ulleung Islanders Grieve Over Ferry Cuts as Tourism Dips Amid Price-Gouging Claims

Residents of Ulleung Island Voice Concerns Over Ferry Service Disruptions

Residents of Ulleung Island are increasingly vocal about the ongoing challenges they face, particularly due to the suspension of passenger ferry services. This has led to a significant decline in tourism, further compounding the island’s struggles. The situation has sparked widespread concern among locals, who feel that the lack of reliable transportation is affecting their daily lives and economic stability.

One resident shared their frustration on the Ulleung County Office website, stating, “The ferry from Hupo is gone, the one from Gangneung will soon be gone, and the Eldorado is already out of service. Who is responsible? At this rate, residents will all suffer. Please take swift action.” This message highlights the growing urgency for solutions to the current crisis.

Sunflower Cruise, which previously operated the route from Hupo-myeon in Uljin County, North Gyeongsang, to Ulleung, has suspended its service this month due to mechanical issues and financial difficulties. Additionally, the Eldorado Express has been out of service since April. These disruptions have left many islanders without access to essential transportation, exacerbating their concerns.

In response to these challenges, the Ulleung County Council and Uljin County Council have begun discussing potential countermeasures. Council Chair Lee Sang-sik emphasized the importance of marine transport as an essential public service for the residents of Ulleung. He stated, “We will make every effort to establish a sustainable passenger ferry system.”

Bae Sang-yong, head of a research institute for Ulleung development, also called for action from the central government. He suggested that the government should reintroduce passenger capacity regulations that were scrapped after the Sewol ferry disaster. Bae further recommended raising the bar for new route approvals and helping existing ferry operators strengthen their competitiveness.

He proposed a quasi-public ferry operation model where the county owns the routes, selects operators through an open and transparent process, guarantees a reasonable profit margin, and maintains a sufficient number of ferries. Bae argued that only when operators can turn a profit can Ulleung become a complete tourist destination.

Declining Tourism Numbers and Negative Publicity

Tourism numbers on Ulleung Island have been steadily declining, according to the county. Visitor arrivals dropped from 461,375 in 2022 to 408,204 in 2023 and further to 380,521 in 2024. In the first seven months of this year, 209,006 people visited the island, a 9.6 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

While the increase in overseas travel since the pandemic is partly to blame, some believe that Ulleung’s reputation for overcharging tourists has worsened the problem. In July, a YouTuber went viral after sharing a video showing that half the pork belly he ordered at a local restaurant was fat. He also posted about other issues, such as lodging facilities without air conditioning. Viewers responded with similar experiences, fueling online criticism of Ulleung’s tourism industry.

Ulleung County Mayor Nam Han-kwon addressed the issue on the county website on July 23, stating, “We express our sincere apologies regarding the recent issues over tourism service quality and pricing that were shared online. We will implement strong and lasting measures to prevent such problems from recurring.”

These developments highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to restore confidence in Ulleung’s tourism sector and ensure the sustainability of its transportation infrastructure. As the community continues to voice its concerns, it remains to be seen how effectively these issues will be addressed in the coming months.