"Jang Bogo’s Spirit Blossoms in Wando"…‘Multicultural K-Chuseok’ Breaks Down National Borders

A festival of multicultural unity with no one left behind during the holidays

Jiwon Park: "Multicultural families will lead Korea's rise as a global power"

Building a united local community through cultural and culinary exchange

A special Chuseok event that reinterpreted the inclusive spirit of international exchange advocated by Jang Bogo in the 9th century for today’s multicultural society was held successfully in Wando.

The Wando County Family Center announced on the 13th that it held the "2026 Jangbogo K-Chuseok Multicultural Unity Festival" on September 12th at Wando Jangbogo Park, jointly hosted by the Jangbogo Global Foundation and the Wando County Family Center.

Wando County Family Center jointly hosted the '2026 Jang Bogo K-Chuseok Multicultural Harmony Festival' with the Jang Bogo Global Foundation. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

This year’s festival was planned under the theme "Chuseok in 839 — Together Again with the World Today." The year 839 is historically significant because the Japanese monk Ennin’s "Record of a Pilgrimage to China in Search of the Law" notes how the Silla people at Juksan Beophwa-won in Shandong, China, celebrated Chuseok in a foreign land, preserving their community. This theme draws a connection between their historic experience and the realities of today’s multicultural society.

Over 400 multicultural families unable to visit their home countries during the holiday period, along with local residents, gathered to create an atmosphere of harmony.

Lawmaker Jiwon Park of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo), County Assembly members Seyoon Kim and Byungsoo Park, former Provincial Assembly member Euijun Shin, Shinhee Park, President of the Haengbok Welfare Foundation, Iyang Jeon, Director of Daeseong Hospital, and many other prominent local figures attended, enhancing the event.

In his congratulatory speech, Lawmaker Park strongly suggested that multicultural families are a new driving force for Korea’s growth. He remarked, "Multicultural families are a source of pride for our country. Just as the United States rose to prominence as a world power by adopting immigration policies from its earliest days, and as Australia and Canada opened their doors in the 21st century and became strong nations, Korea too can make a leap forward by actively embracing multicultural families."

Local key figures including Representative Jiwon Park, Gunyoweon members Seyoon Kim and Byungsu Park, and former provincial council member Uijin Shin attended in large numbers, adding splendor to the event. Photo by Representative Jiwon Park's office

He added, "Though Korea may be somewhat late in this regard, I am confident that proactively welcoming multicultural families will propel us to new heights. I hope you will continue to study and strive here in Korea so that you can become leaders in our society. I will always stand by your side and support you."

The main event featured the presentation of Multicultural Model Awards and Family Center Certificates of Appreciation, national banner performances ahead of the ceremony, multicultural food sharing, bilingual presentation contests, and various hands-on experiences that enabled both local and foreign residents to transcend nationality and language, and share in each other’s cultures.

Haeyong Kim, Head of the Family Center, stated, "Just as Jang Bogo once united people of different nationalities into a single trading community, I hope this festival becomes an opportunity for residents of various nationalities living in Wando to build a strong, united community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.