Haerum Alliance Community Sports Festival Successfully Held in Pohang! ... Unity Among Community Sports Participants

Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju Haeoreum Alliance Brings Together Over 500 Community Athletes

Super-Regional Win-Win Cooperation Strengthens Unity Among Athletes of the Three Cities Through 'Sports'

The ‘2024 Haeoreum Community Sports Festival,’ involving Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju, was successfully held on the 16th at the Pohang Gymnasium with about 500 attendees.

The "2024 Haeoreum Sports Festival" featuring Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju was held on the 16th at the Pohang Gymnasium. Photo by Pohang City

The ‘Haeoreum Community Sports Festival’ is an event led by the cities of Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju, along with their councils and sports associations, where community sports enthusiasts foster friendship and harmony through sports exchanges. Starting in 2018 in Ulsan, this year marks the 5th edition.

The event was attended by Jang Sang-gil, Vice Mayor of Pohang, Kim Du-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan, Song Ho-jun, Vice Mayor of Gyeongju, vice chairpersons and council members from the three cities, sports association presidents, and members of the National Assembly, emphasizing the significance of coexistence and harmony.

During the event, participants engaged in various community sports competitions such as parachute ball bouncing, strategic tug-of-war, city council members’ foot volleyball tournament, volleyball, futsal, and Kukhak Qigong, providing opportunities for communication and exchange through community sports.

Notably, this year featured a talent show where participants from the three cities showcased their skills in singing and dancing, raising the event’s enthusiasm and receiving great acclaim. The event concluded with Ulsan City receiving the 7330 Award, Gyeongju City the Harmony Award, and Pohang City the Friendship Award.

Jang Sang-gil, Vice Mayor of Pohang, stated, “In this era of local autonomy, the three cities of Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju are joining forces through super-regional cooperation in various fields to strengthen regional competitiveness. We hope to further develop the exchanges in the sports sector fostered at this Community Sports Festival.”

The Haeoreum Alliance was formed in June 2016 by the three closely connected cities of Ulsan, Pohang, and Gyeongju, following the opening of the Ulsan?Pohang expressway, and has since been promoting various cooperative projects in economic industry, culture, tourism, and other areas of mutual benefit.