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Selection of June’s Marine Products, Travel Destination Fishing Villages, Marine Life, Lighthouses, and Uninhabited Island of the Month
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2026.06.16.
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Selection of June’s Marine Products, Travel Destination Fishing Villages, Marine Life, Lighthouses, and Uninhabited Island of the Month
① Marine Products of the Month – comb pen shell and horse mackerel
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) selected comb pen shell and horse mackerel as June’s Marine Products of the Month.
The comb pen shell was named as such because it resembles a ‘ki’, a farming tool used to sift grain. Comb pen shells are rich in zinc and selenium, which help boost immunity and prevent aging. In particular, the adductor muscle of the key shell is characterized by its tender texture and savory flavor, and is used in various dishes such as grilled skewers, stir-fries, salads, and sushi. Grilled comb pen shells with butter and garlic are a representative dish that lets you enjoy deep flavor.
The horse mackerel is a migratory fish belonging to the family Carangidae in the order Perciformes, characterized by a streamlined body about 40 cm long as well as large eyes and hard scales along the lateral line. It is rich in niacin and omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote cardiovascular health. Horse mackerel is mainly eaten grilled or braised but is also highly popular as an ingredient for sashimi and sushi because it has little fishy odor and tender flesh.
Anyone can find detailed information on marine products including June’s marine products of the month—comb pen shell and horse mackerel—on the website of Eosik Baekse (https://blog.naver.com/korfish01).
MOF selected Mudo Island—a developable uninhabited island* located in Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do—as Uninhabited Island of the Month for June.
*An uninhabited island where certain activities (installation of buildings or artificial structures, capture or collection of animals or plants, cooking or camping, etc.) or access can be restricted if necessary for its high conservation value
Mudo Island is a small island located just about 100 meters from the mainland, with height of approximately 20 meters and area of 704 square meters. The rocky island is layered with shale, and local residents also call it Siru (meaning "pottery steamer" in Korean) Island because it is shaped like a steamer.
The island is close to the mainland so it can be accessed on foot at low tide, and various geological features such as sea cliffs, wave-cut platforms, and sea caves can be observed. The upper part of the island looks like red bean paste on a steamed rice cake, and bushes such as black pine, Chinese elm, Japanese hornbeam, sea parsley, sea daisy, ivy, and wormwood grow there.
There is also Sangjogam County Park—famous for its dinosaur fossil site—near Mudo Island, including Kamakkeut Yonggul Cave and Elephant Rock, which are well-known spots among photographers. The number of visitors has recently increased as it has become known as the filming location for the drama Jeongnyeoni.
Information on uninhabited islands including Mudo Island and nearby tourist attractions is available on MOF's Uninhabited Islands Comprehensive Information Center (http://uii.mof.go.kr) and Goseong-gun Culture and Tourism website (https://www.goseong.go.kr/tour/index.goseong).
- Selecting comb pen shell and horse mackerel as marine products of the month, Hado Village in Jeju City, Jeju and Gongsu Village in Gijang, Busan as travel destination fishing villages of the month, net black coral (Antipathes dubia) as marine life of the month, Chilam Port South Breakwater Lighthouse as lighthouse of the month, and Mudo Island as uninhabited island of the month for June
① Marine Products of the Month – comb pen shell and horse mackerel
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) selected comb pen shell and horse mackerel as June’s Marine Products of the Month.
The comb pen shell was named as such because it resembles a ‘ki’, a farming tool used to sift grain. Comb pen shells are rich in zinc and selenium, which help boost immunity and prevent aging. In particular, the adductor muscle of the key shell is characterized by its tender texture and savory flavor, and is used in various dishes such as grilled skewers, stir-fries, salads, and sushi. Grilled comb pen shells with butter and garlic are a representative dish that lets you enjoy deep flavor.
The horse mackerel is a migratory fish belonging to the family Carangidae in the order Perciformes, characterized by a streamlined body about 40 cm long as well as large eyes and hard scales along the lateral line. It is rich in niacin and omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote cardiovascular health. Horse mackerel is mainly eaten grilled or braised but is also highly popular as an ingredient for sashimi and sushi because it has little fishy odor and tender flesh.
Anyone can find detailed information on marine products including June’s marine products of the month—comb pen shell and horse mackerel—on the website of Eosik Baekse (https://blog.naver.com/korfish01).
② Travel Destination Fishing Villages of the Month: Hado Village, Jeju City, Jeju and Gongsu Village, Gijang, Busan
MOF selected Hado Village in Jeju City, Jeju and Gongsu Village in Gijang, Busan as June’s Travel Destination Fishing Villages of the Month.
Hado Village in Jeju City is a place that preserves Jeju's authentic essence, where the emerald sea and pristine natural scenery harmonize. Here, visitors can deeply experience the Haenyeo (female divers) culture through cultural interactions that let them converse with Haenyeo to understand their lives, and diving experiences that take them into the sea to feel the sound of their breathing. The panoramic view of Udo Island unfolding beyond the sea and the antique atmosphere created by its star-shaped fortress walls also offer a special memory for travelers wishing to enjoy Jeju's summer ambiance fully.
Gongsu Village in Gijang-gun, Busan is a unique village where the dynamism of a big city coexists with the serene and quiet charm of a fishing village. Gongsu Village offers not only hands-on experiences that let visitors feel the vivid joy of the sea—such as cast-net fishing and tidal-flat activities—but also a diverse range of programs including making pickled kelp and sea mustard using local specialties as well as activities for marine environment cleanup. In particular, it is the perfect resting place to enjoy both fishing village experience and travel as it is located near major tourist attractions in Busan such as Songjeong Beach, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and National Fisheries Science Museum.
Detailed tourism information on June’s Travel Destination Fishing Villages of the Month can be found on the Sea Travel website (www.seantour.kr).
MOF selected Hado Village in Jeju City, Jeju and Gongsu Village in Gijang, Busan as June’s Travel Destination Fishing Villages of the Month.
Hado Village in Jeju City is a place that preserves Jeju's authentic essence, where the emerald sea and pristine natural scenery harmonize. Here, visitors can deeply experience the Haenyeo (female divers) culture through cultural interactions that let them converse with Haenyeo to understand their lives, and diving experiences that take them into the sea to feel the sound of their breathing. The panoramic view of Udo Island unfolding beyond the sea and the antique atmosphere created by its star-shaped fortress walls also offer a special memory for travelers wishing to enjoy Jeju's summer ambiance fully.
Gongsu Village in Gijang-gun, Busan is a unique village where the dynamism of a big city coexists with the serene and quiet charm of a fishing village. Gongsu Village offers not only hands-on experiences that let visitors feel the vivid joy of the sea—such as cast-net fishing and tidal-flat activities—but also a diverse range of programs including making pickled kelp and sea mustard using local specialties as well as activities for marine environment cleanup. In particular, it is the perfect resting place to enjoy both fishing village experience and travel as it is located near major tourist attractions in Busan such as Songjeong Beach, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and National Fisheries Science Museum.
Detailed tourism information on June’s Travel Destination Fishing Villages of the Month can be found on the Sea Travel website (www.seantour.kr).
③ Marine Life of the Month – net black coral
MOF selected net black coral as June’s Marine Life of the Month in celebration of the upcoming World Reef Day on June 1.
Net black coral is a species first reported in Japan and is very rare in Korea, found only in certain areas such as the waters off Munseom Island in Jeju. They do not form large colonies unlike typical corals, rarely inhabiting rocky areas at depths of 20 to 40 meters.
The net black coral grows in the shape of a round fan, its slender branches intertwining closely to form a net-like structure. These structures serve as shelters for various marine organisms and play an important role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.
MOF has designated and managed the net black coral as a marine protected species since 2018 to protect its ecological and academic value. The area around Munseom Island in Jeju—where net black corals are primarily found—is designated as Natural Monument No. 422 (Jeju Coastal Soft Coral Colony), and is an ecologically important sea area where diverse kinds of marine life coexist.
The Yeosu World Island Expo, which opens in September, plans to introduce various kinds of marine life to the public including corals inhabiting the waters around the islands.
Information on various kinds of marine life including the net black coral—June’s Marine Life of the Month—is available on the Marine Life Resources Integrated Information System website (https://www.mbris.kr) and the Marine Environment Information portal (https://www.meis.go.kr).
MOF selected net black coral as June’s Marine Life of the Month in celebration of the upcoming World Reef Day on June 1.
Net black coral is a species first reported in Japan and is very rare in Korea, found only in certain areas such as the waters off Munseom Island in Jeju. They do not form large colonies unlike typical corals, rarely inhabiting rocky areas at depths of 20 to 40 meters.
The net black coral grows in the shape of a round fan, its slender branches intertwining closely to form a net-like structure. These structures serve as shelters for various marine organisms and play an important role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.
MOF has designated and managed the net black coral as a marine protected species since 2018 to protect its ecological and academic value. The area around Munseom Island in Jeju—where net black corals are primarily found—is designated as Natural Monument No. 422 (Jeju Coastal Soft Coral Colony), and is an ecologically important sea area where diverse kinds of marine life coexist.
The Yeosu World Island Expo, which opens in September, plans to introduce various kinds of marine life to the public including corals inhabiting the waters around the islands.
Information on various kinds of marine life including the net black coral—June’s Marine Life of the Month—is available on the Marine Life Resources Integrated Information System website (https://www.mbris.kr) and the Marine Environment Information portal (https://www.meis.go.kr).
④ Lighthouse of the Month – Chilam Port South Breakwater Lighthouse (Baseball Lighthouse)
MOF selected the Chilam Port South Breakwater Lighthouse located in Chilam-ri, Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City as June’s Lighthouse of the Month. First installed in 2010, this lighthouse serves as a safety guide for ships entering and leaving Chilam Port by flashing a green light twice every 4 seconds.
Chilam Port is a base for coastal fisheries in Gijang-gun, becoming famous as the baseball lighthouse since it is shaped like baseball bat, glove, and ball. The baseball lighthouse is a unique lighthouse built to commemorate the legendary gold medal achievement at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the entrance to Chilam Village is a trio of sculptural lighthouses including the baseball lighthouse, the seagull lighthouse, and the conger eel lighthouse, and a photo spot has been created with them as backdrop; thus providing visitors with new sights and memories.
Gijang-gun offers a variety of tourist attractions to enjoy together, including: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, famous for its sea-facing setting; Jangansa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple founded by the Great Monk Wonhyo; and Osiria Tourism Complex, which features an outdoor theme park and an outlet mall.
Chilam Port is so famous for conger eels that it is called Conger Eel Village. The eels are plump with just the right amount of fat when in season, so they are best eaten raw. Conger eel is known to be good for dieting since it is low in fat and rich in protein, and it helps restore vitality because of its high taurine content.
For more information about June’s Lighthouse of the Month, visit the National Lighthouse Museum's Lighthouse and Sea website (lighthouse-museum.or.kr/sea). Tourist information around the lighthouse is available on Busan’s tourism website Visit Busan (visitbusan.net).
MOF selected the Chilam Port South Breakwater Lighthouse located in Chilam-ri, Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City as June’s Lighthouse of the Month. First installed in 2010, this lighthouse serves as a safety guide for ships entering and leaving Chilam Port by flashing a green light twice every 4 seconds.
Chilam Port is a base for coastal fisheries in Gijang-gun, becoming famous as the baseball lighthouse since it is shaped like baseball bat, glove, and ball. The baseball lighthouse is a unique lighthouse built to commemorate the legendary gold medal achievement at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the entrance to Chilam Village is a trio of sculptural lighthouses including the baseball lighthouse, the seagull lighthouse, and the conger eel lighthouse, and a photo spot has been created with them as backdrop; thus providing visitors with new sights and memories.
Gijang-gun offers a variety of tourist attractions to enjoy together, including: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, famous for its sea-facing setting; Jangansa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple founded by the Great Monk Wonhyo; and Osiria Tourism Complex, which features an outdoor theme park and an outlet mall.
Chilam Port is so famous for conger eels that it is called Conger Eel Village. The eels are plump with just the right amount of fat when in season, so they are best eaten raw. Conger eel is known to be good for dieting since it is low in fat and rich in protein, and it helps restore vitality because of its high taurine content.
For more information about June’s Lighthouse of the Month, visit the National Lighthouse Museum's Lighthouse and Sea website (lighthouse-museum.or.kr/sea). Tourist information around the lighthouse is available on Busan’s tourism website Visit Busan (visitbusan.net).
⑤ Uninhabited Island of the Month – Mudo Island (Siru Island)
MOF selected Mudo Island—a developable uninhabited island* located in Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do—as Uninhabited Island of the Month for June.
*An uninhabited island where certain activities (installation of buildings or artificial structures, capture or collection of animals or plants, cooking or camping, etc.) or access can be restricted if necessary for its high conservation value
Mudo Island is a small island located just about 100 meters from the mainland, with height of approximately 20 meters and area of 704 square meters. The rocky island is layered with shale, and local residents also call it Siru (meaning "pottery steamer" in Korean) Island because it is shaped like a steamer.
The island is close to the mainland so it can be accessed on foot at low tide, and various geological features such as sea cliffs, wave-cut platforms, and sea caves can be observed. The upper part of the island looks like red bean paste on a steamed rice cake, and bushes such as black pine, Chinese elm, Japanese hornbeam, sea parsley, sea daisy, ivy, and wormwood grow there.
There is also Sangjogam County Park—famous for its dinosaur fossil site—near Mudo Island, including Kamakkeut Yonggul Cave and Elephant Rock, which are well-known spots among photographers. The number of visitors has recently increased as it has become known as the filming location for the drama Jeongnyeoni.
Information on uninhabited islands including Mudo Island and nearby tourist attractions is available on MOF's Uninhabited Islands Comprehensive Information Center (http://uii.mof.go.kr) and Goseong-gun Culture and Tourism website (https://www.goseong.go.kr/tour/index.goseong).
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