Yanggu County to Host the 40th Yangnokje Festival Uniting Residents on October 17-18

Yanggu County in Gangwon Province will host the 40th Yangnokje Festival for two days from October 17 to 18 at the Yanggu Sports Complex and surrounding areas. The Yangnokje Festival is a community event where residents from the county’s five towns and townships gather in one place to participate in athletic competitions, traditional folk games, and performances, fostering friendly rivalry and strengthening unity and friendship. Marking its 40th anniversary this year, the festival will feature an even richer lineup of programs.

2025 Yangnokje Festival Poster. Provided by Yanggu County

On the first day, October 17, the festival will open in the morning with the Yangnokje Ritual and bell-ringing ceremony, praying for the well-being of the residents and a bountiful harvest. This will be followed by preliminary and final rounds of inter-township athletic competitions, including futsal, billiards, ground golf, park golf, and gateball, held at the sports stadium, where residents will engage in spirited contests. At 7:30 p.m., the Yanggu Culture and Welfare Center will host a singing contest for residents, providing a lively stage for enjoyment and community engagement.

On the second day, October 18, the festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with the entrance ceremony for each township, followed by a pre-event public ceremony, the lighting of the unity flame, the return of the championship flag, and performances by Kelly and Kim Yeonja. The day will also feature final rounds of athletic events such as foot volleyball, Hangung (Korean ring toss), group jump rope, a three-legged race involving civilians, public officials, and military personnel, and an 800-meter relay for unity. Traditional folk games, including tug-of-war, Ssireum (Korean wrestling), giant Yutnori, strength contests, shoe archery, Jegichagi (Korean hacky sack), and Tuho (arrow throwing), will also be held, creating a festival of harmony for residents, soldiers, and local institutions alike.

In front of the cultural center, a variety of experience, exhibition, and food booths will be set up for residents and visitors. There will be a children’s zone with attractions such as air bounce and bumper cars, as well as face painting, balloon art, bubble activities, and calligraphy for family mottos and life maxims, along with various promotional and exhibition programs. Food trucks and local cuisine stalls will be installed throughout the sports complex area, adding to the culinary delights of the festival.

Seo Heungwon, Mayor of Yanggu County, said, "The Yangnokje Festival is a precious event where all residents come together with one heart to share harmony and communication. I would like to thank all the residents for their efforts toward regional development this year, and I hope this year’s Yangnokje Festival will be a meaningful time for everyone to laugh, enjoy, and prepare for even greater progress together."

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