A Study on Dark Tourism Activation Strategies Utilizing the Theme of Martyr Yu Gwan-Sun

Dark tourism, which focuses on sites associated with tragic historical events, has gained attention as a meaningful form of tourism that fosters historical reflection and educational engagement. Korea, shaped by the unique historical context of Japanese colonial rule, possesses a wealth of dark tourism resources. Among them, the legacy of Yu Gwan-Sun—who symbolizes the March 1st Independence Movement—holds significant potential as an educational and cultural tourism theme. This study explores the dark tourism value of Yu Gwan-Sun’s legacy through a comprehensive review of related literature and proposes strategies for its activation. The results suggest: (1) the need to systematically identify and overcome constraints in the utilization of historical resources; (2) the importance of enhancing storytelling based on Yu Gwan-Sun’s patriotic legacy to deepen educational impact and visitor engagement; and (3) the development of experiential programs to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the content as a sustainable tourism resource.