South Korean authorities are discussing the conversion of a solar-panel-covered island in Uiam Lake into a tourist attraction after a long-term contract ends.
The decision marks a potential shift in land use for the region, weighing the benefits of renewable energy production against the economic potential of local tourism in Chuncheon.
The island, known as Bungeo-seom, spans approximately 300,000 square meters [1]. It is currently completely covered with solar-panel arrays. The site is owned by an agency in Gangwon Province, though it has been operated under a 15-year contract [2] by a company with shares from a Chinese conglomerate [3].
According to reports, this operating contract is set to expire in August of next year [4]. Once the agreement concludes, management of the island will revert to the Kangwon Development Corporation [3].
Local officials are now evaluating whether to maintain the island's function as a renewable energy hub or to develop it for public visitation. The island's location at the far end of Chuncheon city makes it a candidate for tourism, particularly as a tourist cable car passes directly over the site [5].
Because the island has been dominated by industrial solar infrastructure for over a decade, any transition to a tourist destination would require significant redevelopment of the 300,000-square-meter area [1]. The provincial government has not yet announced a final decision on whether to renew energy contracts or proceed with the tourism plan.
“The island, known as Bungeo-seom, spans approximately 300,000 square meters.”
This transition reflects a broader tension in regional planning between achieving green energy targets and stimulating local economies through tourism. By reclaiming the land from a foreign-linked operator, Gangwon Province can either pivot toward a service-based economy or reinvest in updated renewable technology to meet climate goals.
