"Fishing Enthusiasts' Long-Awaited Wish Fulfilled" Sports Fishing Festival Held at Tokyo Reservoir in Cheorwon DMZ

Cheorwon-gun Hosts 2025 Sports Fishing Festival
Public Interest Fishing Tournament Held at Tokyo Reservoir in the DMZ Border Area
Achievements in Native Fish Conservation and Promotion of Local Tourism

The long-cherished wish of fishing enthusiasts came true as the "2025 Sports Fishing Festival" was held successfully on October 26 at Tokyo Reservoir in Yangji-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, a DMZ border area that is usually off-limits. The event drew about 200 participants.

Jointly organized by Cheorwon-gun and the Gangwon Inland Water Resources Center, the tournament was held with the public purpose of protecting native fish species within Tokyo Reservoir. In particular, as part of efforts to restore the aquatic ecosystem by eradicating invasive species, the event served as a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness among fishing enthusiasts and local residents about the importance of conserving native fish.

Prior to the main event, a pre-festival program was held on October 25 at Cheorwon Sports Complex, where approximately 600 participants and their families enjoyed a variety of activities. Programs such as a lure fishing tournament, children's fishing experiences, and environmental and tourism O·X quizzes provided an opportunity to showcase Cheorwon-gun’s beautiful natural environment and its potential as a tourist destination to visitors from outside the region.

This festival went beyond a simple fishing competition, serving as a significant occasion to highlight the ecological value of the DMZ border area and present new possibilities for revitalizing local tourism.

Lee Hyunjong, Governor of Cheorwon-gun, stated, "I would like to thank everyone involved for their cooperation in making the Tokyo Reservoir fishing tournament a success," and added, "We will continue to do our utmost to help Cheorwon-gun become a sports mecca where sports and tourism go hand in hand."