A marine healing experience that invites participants to walk Jeju’s sea ranch trail, listen to the waves and meditate to the scent of Vitex and the sound of singing bowls will be held alongside an international forum. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province will host the 2026 Jeju International Marine Healing Industry Forum, its first, on Nov. 6 and 7 in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, and Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City.
The inaugural forum’s theme is “Jeju, a Healing Sea Connecting Asia and the Future.” It aims to lay the groundwork for international cooperation in the marine healing industry. The event is hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and organized by Jeju National University and the Jeju Marine Healing Industry Association.
Forum opens in Seongsanpo, moves to Spirited Garden for afternoon discussions; first day to share Asian examples
The opening ceremony, keynote address and marine healing program demonstration will take place the morning of Nov. 6 at the Seongsanpo Fisheries Cooperative in Seogwipo. In the afternoon, the forum will move to Spirited Garden in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, for presentations and a panel discussion.
The forum will highlight examples of marine healing industries in Asia, including Japan, and explore the state of the global industry and ways to build cooperative networks. A panel of experts will discuss the future development of Asia’s marine healing industry and strategies to grow the sector in Jeju by drawing on the island’s distinctive characteristics, with the Jeju Marine Healing Center as a focal point.
A meeting of the Marine Healing Revitalization Council, which brings together local governments and organizations involved in marine healing, will also be held in conjunction with the forum. Experience and promotional booths will introduce products made using marine healing resources to local residents and visitors.
Sea breezes, waves, Vitex fragrance and singing bowls feature in second-day meditation
Marine healing programs will be held Nov. 7, the second day, around Jeju Sea Ranch and Singeumul Park in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City. Participants will walk the sea ranch trail, taking in the sea breeze, sounds of the waves and coastal scenery, and join meditation sessions featuring the scent of Vitex and the sound of singing bowls.
Vitex is a coastal plant that grows in the sandy soils along Jeju’s shore. The experience uses scents and sounds from the sea itself as materials for meditation.
Forum marks starting point for Jeju Marine Healing Center, set to open in 2029
Jeju plans to use the forum to expand exchanges among experts, research institutions and industry groups in South Korea and abroad. It will also pursue program development, policy initiatives and industry partnerships in connection with the Jeju Marine Healing Center, which is targeted to open in 2029.
“This forum marks the starting point for sharing the value of Jeju’s marine healing resources with the international community and broadening the foundation for cooperation,” said Kim Jong-su, director of Jeju’s Marine and Fisheries Bureau. “We will systematically develop a marine healing industry that reflects Jeju’s distinctive characteristics.”
Event Details
Event: 2026 Jeju International Marine Healing Industry Forum (“Jeju, a Healing Sea Connecting Asia and the Future”)
Dates: Nov. 6 (Friday)–7 (Saturday), 2026
Venues: Nov. 6 — Seongsanpo Fisheries Cooperative, Seogwipo (morning); Spirited Garden, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City (afternoon) / Nov. 7 — Jeju Sea Ranch and Singeumul Park area, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City
Host: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province / Organizers: Jeju National University and Jeju Marine Healing Industry Association
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