Record-breaking 'Daebak', See You Again Next Year... Ulleung-gun's Big Hit Squid Festival Comes to an End

Crowds gathered at the Squid Festival held at Jeodong Port in Ulleung-eup.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter An Kyungho] The '20th Ulleungdo Squid Festival,' a representative festival of Ulleung-gun, Gyeongbuk, concluded on the 29th with an unprecedented scale.

The squid festival, which had been canceled due to COVID-19, was held for the first time in three years, drawing crowds to the venue from the very first day.

This year, new changes were attempted in the traditional squid festival, and it is being evaluated as a great success.

The festival schedule, previously held from late July to early August, was moved to late August when more squid are caught, and it was held on weekends instead of weekdays, which is analyzed to have increased tourist participation.

Additionally, moving the venue from the Jeodong Fish Market to a larger area around the Jeodong Passenger Terminal allowed the festival to be conducted safely, which was also cited as a factor in its success. The Jeodong Port raft parade also attracted the attention of visitors.

Nam Han-kwon, the mayor of Ulleung-gun, said, "It was a festival where residents and tourists became one, warming hearts, and I am proud that it was safely concluded over the three-day schedule. We ask for much support so that Ulleungdo can become an island visited by people worldwide and the Ulleungdo Squid Festival can grow into a world-class festival."