Hope Light On! ... 'Pohang International Fireworks Festival' Shines with Safety, Economy, and Citizens after 4 Years!

‘Safety First’ Three-Dimensional Safety Management, Cross-Checks, and Workforce Deployment... Achieving ‘Zero Safety Accidents’

Volunteers and Supporters Play Active Roles, Contributing to Mature Civic Awareness and Smooth Event Progress

The Pohang International Fireworks Festival concluded successfully over three days, attracting 250,000 domestic and international tourists and citizens (with the police estimating 120,000 attendees inside the venue).

Pohang International Fireworks Festival Fireworks Show.

Despite the large crowds, the festival ended without any accidents thanks to the mature civic consciousness and thorough safety measures, earning praise as a 'safe festival.'

From the 26th to the 28th, Pohang City held the '2023 Pohang International Fireworks Festival' at the Hyeongsan River Sports Park under the theme 'Light on Pohang, Illuminating the Night Sky.'

The 60,000 fireworks that beautifully decorated the night sky over Yeongil Bay delivered a message of hope to citizens who overcame difficult times such as COVID-19 and Typhoon Hinnamnor, while also providing tourists with unique attractions exclusive to Pohang, creating unforgettable memories.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “Thanks to the mature civic consciousness shown by the citizens during the festival period, we were able to successfully conclude the festival held normally for the first time in four years. I also thank the volunteers, fire department, police, and related agencies who cooperated to ensure a safe festival.”

Above all, although a large crowd of 250,000 gathered at this festival held normally for the first time in four years, Pohang City focused its administrative efforts on thorough prior preparations and meticulous safety measures with the top priority of 'holding a safe festival,' resulting in a safe conclusion without any major accidents.

Pohang City, together with related agencies such as the police, fire department, and coast guard, proactively cross-checked on-site personnel deployment and situations, deploying a large-scale safety management workforce of 1,600 people to carefully oversee safety from viewing to returning home.

In particular, DJ Police (police officers who hold microphones from elevated platforms such as lifts to guide and maintain order) were stationed throughout the site, and disaster safety security officers regularly patrolled the area to manage crowds and preemptively block hazards, implementing various safety measures that resulted in zero safety incidents.

The festival’s quality was also outstanding. The main event of the festival on the 27th, the international fireworks show, featured an Italian team with over 100 years of tradition known for artistry and technical skill, a Philippine team with numerous awards for creative productions, and a Swedish team known for delicate fireworks synchronized to musical beats, all illuminating Pohang’s night sky beautifully.

The Philippine team, which launched the fireworks first, demonstrated world-class status with emotional music and diverse production techniques, while the Italian team impressed spectators with their uniquely massive and majestic fireworks, eliciting awe and admiration. The Swedish team captivated attention with colorful fireworks harmoniously blending numerous hues.

Undoubtedly, the highlight was the spectacular fireworks display by Korea’s Hanwha, which decorated the grand finale with a new concept of dynamic storytelling fireworks, receiving enthusiastic applause from visitors to Yeongil Bay.

Before the international fireworks show began, the 'Ponggeori Parade' proceeded from Songnim Elementary School to the main stage at Hyeongsan River Sports Park, attracting attention with the largest-scale large objects in Korea and participation from citizens of 29 towns, townships, and neighborhoods in the region, presenting a performance-style march.

Civic consciousness and participatory spirit further elevated the festival’s dignity. Citizens and tourists followed the organizer’s guidance, maintaining order and safely enjoying the festival, demonstrating mature civic awareness.

Volunteer personnel centered on citizens, including the Pohang Hometown Youth Association, the 1st Marine Division members, disaster safety security officers, the Southern Model Drivers Association, the Saemaul Volunteer Association, and Pohang Plogging, contributed to safety measures such as traffic control, parking management, and environmental cleanup.

The festival site enhanced its quality with themed venue designs such as wood canopies and boothtainers, and an ESG festival format. Various participatory events, including the 'Citizen Design Fireworks Show' where citizens’ designed fireworks were realized on-site, and the interactive content 'Light Radio' based on citizens’ stories, completed the festival together with the citizens.

Additionally, to accommodate tourists’ convenience, about 9,000 temporary parking spaces were secured at schools and government offices, and on the main event day, the 27th, six shuttle buses on three routes operated every 30 minutes from temporary parking lots to the venue. During peak hours (6 PM to midnight), four additional shuttle buses were deployed, operating 236 times a day and serving about 9,000 people.

The long-awaited Fireworks Festival also brought significant vitality to the local economy.

Crowds flocked to major tourist spots such as Saerok Saero Street, Ssangsa, Yeongildae Beach, and Jukdo Market near the venue, filling restaurants, and accommodations were fully booked.

As if the summer peak vacation season had already arrived, Pohang bustled with crowds, achieving substantial economic effects through its representative local festival.

Moreover, the 'Pong Restaurant' within the venue, decorated with an emotional interior featuring local representative foods, attracted large crowds and widely promoted Pohang’s unique flavors. Regional specialties such as Pohang Samhap skewers sold 16,000 servings over three days, selling out early.

During the festival period, about 50,000 people visited the '2023 Korea Together Festival' held at Manindang in Pohang Sports Complex, and 5,000 people visited the card-type Pohang Love Gift Certificate 10% discount sales venues set up at Manindang and Hyeongsan River Sports Park, exhausting the target amount of 1 billion KRW. Online sales of 9 billion KRW were also sold out during the period, revitalizing the local alleyway economy.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “I hope this International Fireworks Festival has been a great source of strength not only for Pohang citizens but also for many people. Let us gather the passion of our citizens like fireworks and create a more united and developed Pohang together.”

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