The 19th Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival, a major summer event in Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, concluded successfully on August 2 after nine days of festivities.
According to Jangheung County, the festival, held from July 25 to August 2 at the Tanjin River, the Cypress Forest Woodland, and Papillon Zip, attracted approximately 448,000 visitors.
This year's festival, themed 'Healing Water, Summer Water, Exciting Jangheung,' expanded beyond traditional water play to include healing, culture, and K-Culture content, transforming it into a stay tourism festival.
The opening 'Water Battle Parade' turned the streets of Jangheung into a vibrant scene where tourists and locals participated in a street festival featuring traditional cultural performances from various countries and water-based performances that set the festive mood.
At the Tanjin River, activities included the world's largest water fight, golden fish catching, wooden boat rides, banana boat rides, and water cycling, drawing families to the event.
This year also featured programs linked to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'MyK FESTA,' which included K-POP performances, the Jangheung Rock Festival, and Water Beat performances, successfully engaging younger audiences and foreign tourists.
New attractions like Papillon Zip became another highlight of the festival, offering content based on film and drama shooting locations, AR mission tours, and experiential programs that appealed to families and young visitors.
Stay tourism programs were also expanded, with nighttime activities such as the Starlight Moonlight Youth Zone, Jangheung Water Light Night, and 'Exciting Jangheung Camping Stay' designed to extend visitors' stay and encourage them to explore local businesses.
Changes were made to the food offerings as well. Instead of a separate local food hall, the festival collaborated with the Jeongnamjin Jangheung Saturday Market and local restaurants to provide regional specialties like Jangheung Hanwoo Samhap and Doenjang Mulhoe, promoting the local economy.
During the festival, Jangheung County implemented safety measures, including shuttle bus services, a joint disaster safety control center, and an emergency medical system, with the participation of residents, volunteers, and related organizations contributing to the smooth operation of the event.
Even after the festival's conclusion, the Tanjin River water park will remain open until August 11 for summer tourists.
Jangheung County Mayor Sa Soon-moon stated, "This year's water festival was created together by residents, tourists, and volunteers. We will continue to expand community participation to grow it into a global festival that combines K-Culture and healing tourism, beyond being a representative summer festival of Korea."
Additionally, Jangheung County donated 50 million won from the festival's proceeds to the Jeonnam Community Chest of Korea, sharing the festival's success with the local community.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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