Mapo District Aims to Make Salted Shrimp Festival a "Nationwide Signature Family Festival"; Opens Oct. 16

Urban-Rural Cooperation Through 12 Sales Booths and Sister-City Markets
500,000 Visitors Expected Over Three Days

Mapo District in Seoul, led by District Mayor Yoo Dongkyun, has shaped this year’s Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival into a family-friendly event for all generations as it seeks to make it a signature cultural festival representing the nation. The district announced on October 7 that the 19th Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival will be held for three days, from October 16 to 18, around Peace Plaza in World Cup Park.

Mapo District Mayor Yoo Donggyun explains plans for the 19th Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival at a press briefing on the 7th. Provided by Mapo District.

At a press briefing on October 7, Mapo District Mayor Yoo Dongkyun said, “We have worked to make the historical significance of Mapo Naru and the festival’s identity as a celebration of salted shrimp even clearer, while offering more opportunities for enjoyment and participation.” The festival revives the history of Mapo Naru, where salted shrimp and other goods from across the country were gathered during the Joseon Dynasty. Every year, visitors flock to the festival ahead of kimchi-making season to buy salted shrimp. The district estimates that more than 500,000 people visit annually and expects a similar turnout this year.

Festival Opens with a Magistrate’s Procession and a Yellow-Sailed Boat, Highlighting Its History Ahead of 20th Anniversary

The festival will open at 10:30 a.m. on October 16 with a “magistrate’s procession,” which will depart from Mapo District Office Plaza and proceed to Peace Plaza. District Mayor Yoo, dressed as a magistrate, will join the procession alongside a military band, a traditional percussion troupe, peddlers, residents and others, with around 200 participants in total. After the procession arrives, a yellow-sailed boat carrying salted shrimp will enter the harbor. A special exhibition, “Mapo Naru Memory Tunnel,” will showcase Mapo’s past and how it has changed, while “Flag Bridge,” decorated with posters from past festivals, will be set up at Sangam Bridge over the Bulgwangcheon Stream.

This year’s festival puts an emphasis on programs that families can enjoy together. On October 17, in a celebration of the festival’s 19th year, cooking researcher Lee Hyejeong and 38 child participants will split into two teams to make a 19-meter-long shrimp gimbap roll. That evening, the “National Mom and Dad Singing Contest” will feature 21 contestants who have advanced through the preliminary round. On October 18, around 200 people, admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, will be invited to enjoy pork, salted shrimp and kimchi together at the “Pork, Shrimp and Kimchi Bossam Feast.”

Shrimp catching, salted shrimp making and salted shrimp auction experiences will be available throughout the festival. Children’s programs, including an inflatable play area, a little magistrate activity and a bubble show, will also be held, along with an intergenerational traditional percussion gathering and traditional games.

Sales Booths Expanded to 12, with Hopes for Local Economic Growth and Urban-Rural Cooperation

The number of salted shrimp sales booths, a festival highlight, has increased from eight last year to 12 this year. The district said it made the change because shoppers had faced considerable inconvenience, including long lines in front of the booths, in previous years. Mayor Yoo explained, “The goal is not so much to generate sales as to make it easy for residents who need salted shrimp to buy it at the festival and take it home.”

Salted shrimp from the production areas of Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Shinan, Buan and Sorae will be sold at prices 10% to 15% lower than those at regular stores, with the products’ origins clearly labeled. According to the district, salted shrimp sales during past festivals totaled around 1.7 billion won.

A specialty market with 14 booths will also operate, featuring sister cities including Gochang, Shinan, Yecheon, Namhae, Cheongyang and Ongjin, as well as local agricultural cooperatives. It aims to create a venue where urban and rural communities can share in the benefits. For the first time this year, one of the 12 food market booths will specialize in shrimp dishes such as shrimp pasta and shrimp fried rice. On the festival’s opening day, around 20 foreign visitors will make kimchi with salted shrimp alongside members of the Seoseoul Nonghyup women’s group and deliver it to low-income households in the area.

To prepare for the large crowds, the district will deploy around 600 safety personnel, public officials and volunteers over the three days to manage safety, direct traffic and provide medical support.

After observing the number of foreign visitors this year, the district plans to consider operating dedicated interpretation teams in English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish starting next year, when the festival marks its 20th anniversary.

Mayor Yoo said, “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary next year, we will continue to carry forward the history and traditions of Mapo Naru and develop the festival into an even richer and more beloved event.”

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