Sokcho City Draws 80,000 Visitors Over Three Days at 2026 Seorak Musan Cultural Festival

Established as a Nationwide Festival Since Its Inaugural Edition in 2024
A Cultural Space Embodying the Spirit of Harmony and Coexistence Advocated by Musan Monk, Bridging Generations and Regions

The '2026 Seorak Musan Cultural Festival,' held from the 15th to the 17th over three days at the Expo Lawn Plaza and Tower Plaza area in Sokcho, concluded successfully, drawing the largest crowds in history. Provided by Sokcho City

The '2026 Seorak Musan Cultural Festival,' held over three days from the 15th to the 17th at the Expo Lawn Plaza and Tower Plaza in Sokcho, concluded successfully with the largest attendance in history. Provided by Sokcho City

This festival, hosted and organized by the Seorak·Manhae Thought and Practice Promotion Association, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Sokcho City, was established to carry on the spirit of harmony and coexistence advocated by the late Buddhist monk Musan Jo Ohyun, who served as the head monk of Sinheungsa Temple on Mount Seorak. Marking its third edition since its inaugural event in 2024, this year’s festival attracted 80,000 visitors from across the country, proving its rapid growth into one of Korea’s leading cultural tourism festivals in a short span of time.

The festival grounds were filled with high-quality programs that transcended generations and religions, offering enjoyment for all. The '4th Seorak Youth Cultural Festival,' which served as a stage to showcase the cultural capabilities of the next generation, featured a drawing contest, choir competition, writing contest, and street dance festival, where 830 young participants from across the nation displayed their talents. Award winners, selected through a rigorous evaluation process, received certificates and a total of 34 million won in prize money and commemorative gifts. Performances by popular artists such as Car, the Garden, So Soo-bin, 1MILLION, and New Jeans-nim further heightened the excitement of the festival.

The '3rd Seorak Food Culture Festival,' held at the Expo Tower Plaza, also garnered great enthusiasm from visitors. A total of 26 local food businesses from Sokcho participated, presenting a diverse array of delicacies. Highlights included a demonstration of temple cuisine by Buddhist monk Dorim and a traditional tea and sweets experience from Hwaamsa Temple of Mount Geumgang, offering the public a deeper appreciation of Buddhist culinary culture. Additionally, more than 50 local cultural, artistic, civic, and religious organizations—including the Sokcho Cultural Center and Naksansa Temple—participated in free cultural experience booths, providing visitors with opportunities to enjoy traditional games, crafts, and more, creating diverse experiences and fond memories.

The city devoted special attention to safety and traffic management in anticipation of the large crowds. Five parking lots were secured around the venue to minimize inconvenience for visitors, and traffic control was implemented in areas with heavy foot traffic to ensure safety. Beyond these measures, active safety management strategies were carried out in cooperation with relevant agencies, allowing the festival to conclude without a single safety incident.

Meanwhile, the '3rd Musan Cultural Awards Ceremony,' which continues the festival’s noble values, will be held on June 9 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul. Individuals who have contributed to the advancement of Korean culture and the arts in the fields of literature, arts, and socio-culture will be selected, with each category winner receiving a prize of 100 million won and a trophy.

A Sokcho City official stated, "Thanks to the mature civic consciousness of our visitors and the dedication of various organizations and groups, this year’s festival, which drew the largest crowds ever, concluded safely without any accidents. We will do our utmost to ensure that the Seorak Musan Cultural Festival continues to grow as Korea’s premier cultural festival where tradition and modernity coexist."

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