Uijeongbu Hoeryong Cultural Festival Draws 52,000 Visitors Despite Budget Cuts, Boosts Public Participation

Uijeongbu City Successfully Concludes 41st Hoeryong Cultural Festival
Held for Two Days at Peace Plaza in Front of City Hall
Hangul Fashion Show and Children’s Civil Service Examination Draw Positive Response

Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Wongi), drew about 52,000 visitors over two days despite cutting this year’s Hoeryong Cultural Festival budget to one-third of last year’s level. The city moved the festival to the plaza in front of City Hall to make it more accessible and presented traditional culture programs featuring local residents and artists.

Mayor Kim Wongi delivers remarks at the 41st Hoeryong Cultural Festival, held on the 9th at Peace Plaza and its surrounding area in front of Uijeongbu City Hall. Photo provided by Uijeongbu City.

Uijeongbu City said on October 12 that it held the 41st Hoeryong Cultural Festival on October 9 and 10 around Peace Plaza in front of City Hall. Co-hosted by the Uijeongbu Cultural Center and the Uijeongbu Culture and Tourism Foundation, the festival was held under the theme “600 Years of Hoeryong: Connecting History and Citizens.”

This year’s festival budget was KRW 190 million, down about 65% from KRW 550 million last year. The city said the festival concluded with the support of residents’ voluntary participation and performances by local artists.

The venue was moved from Howon-dong to Peace Plaza in front of City Hall. The move was intended to make the festival easier for residents to reach and to draw visitors to nearby businesses.

Kim Wongi plays a drum at the 41st Hoeryong Cultural Festival, held on the 9th at Peace Plaza and surrounding areas in front of Uijeongbu City Hall. Photo provided by Uijeongbu City.

The program opened with Citizens’ Day and opening ceremonies and included a Hangul fashion show, a children’s civil service examination, “Hoeryong Nanjang,” performances by local artists, and 16 types of traditional culture experiences. Picnic and food areas were also set up for families.

At the Hangul fashion show, residents took to the stage themselves to showcase the beauty of the Korean alphabet. Two hundred elementary school students took part in the children’s civil service examination, learning about Uijeongbu’s history and culture through quizzes. Local artists gave a range of performances at “Hoeryong Nanjang.”

The opening celebration featured Uijeongbu promotional ambassadors Fusion MC, Bini Saem, and Sinbi, along with guest singers Woo Yeoni, Yang Jaedong, and Shin Yu. The closing stage featured the fusion Korean traditional music band Gukak-ingayo, Onewol, Lee Oouk, and the band Soran.

A small-business owner near the venue said, “With so many residents visiting during the festival, nearby businesses also saw a boost in activity. I hope events that bring the festival together with local businesses will continue.”

Scenes from the Hangul Fashion Show at the 41st Hoeryong Cultural Festival on the 9th. Provided by Uijeongbu City.

Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Wongi said, “Even with a reduced budget, many residents took part, and the festival became all the more meaningful as residents and local artists came together to shape Hoeryong’s 600-year history. We will continue to carry Uijeongbu’s history and traditions forward with residents and create traditional culture festivals centered on the community.”

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