‘Kkotpineun Namhae’ Event a Great Success at Gyeongnam Namhae Bridge

Fireworks Receive Praise from Tourists

The cultural event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of Namhae Bridge in Gyeongnam, ‘Kkotpineun Namhae’ (Blooming Namhae), was a great success, further raising expectations for the ‘Namhae Bridge Tourism Resource Development Project.’

Namhae County held the ‘Kkotpineun Namhae’ cultural event over two days, March 31 and April 1, around the Namhae Bridge area.

On the evening of the 31st, a maritime fireworks display captured the attention of many residents and tourists, and on the 1st, vehicle traffic was completely restricted to host various cultural performances and experiential events on the bridge.

Fireworks display held at Namhae Bridge, Gyeongnam.

In particular, the maritime fireworks show on the night of the 31st created a perfect harmony with the night view of Namhae Bridge, offering visitors unforgettable memories. Additionally, the cultural event on the 1st, which allowed people to freely walk and enjoy the vehicle-restricted Namhae Bridge, provided a unique pleasure.

While events such as ‘fireworks shows’ and ‘performances and flea markets’ are held in many places and may not be considered unique, the symbolism and beauty of the ‘Namhae Bridge’ itself evoked a new emotional response.

Marking its 50th anniversary, Namhae Bridge is concluding its role as a road and preparing for a makeover. Namhae County has secured a budget of 19 billion KRW to promote the Namhae Bridge Tourism Resource Development Project.

The project aims to transform Namhae Bridge into a ‘bridge-themed tourist attraction’ and to revive the glory of Namhae Bridge, which became a nationally famous tourist spot upon its opening in 1973. In particular, the plan is to place content throughout the Noryang area around Namhae Bridge where visitors can experience the spectacular view of the Noryang Sea and the patriotic spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

With the groundbreaking of the Welcome Center already underway, this project has entered full swing, and Namhae County has been controlling access to Namhae Bridge and holding small-scale events for the past two years to expand software content.

Above all, the ‘maritime fireworks show,’ held for the first time since the opening of Namhae Bridge, was small in scale but drew responses that it was comparable in scenery and atmosphere to the famous ‘fireworks festivals’ of major cities.

In this event as well, the scenery around Namhae Bridge harmonized with cherry blossoms, and the advantage of being able to walk on the bridge while overlooking the Noryang Sea shone as a content unique to ‘Namhae Bridge’ itself.

Moreover, during the two days of the ‘Kkotpineun Namhae’ event, it also contributed to revitalizing the commercial district in the Noryang area, raising further expectations for the effect of ‘Namhae Bridge Again 1973.’

County Governor Jang Chung-nam said, “We plan to maximize the charm and symbolism inherent in Namhae Bridge through the tourism resource development project,” adding, “This year, which marks the 50th anniversary of Namhae Bridge’s opening and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel, can be considered the starting point for the second leap forward in Namhae County tourism.”

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