Jinan County to Hold 'Yongdam Dam Flood Victims' Reunion Day on the 12th of Next Month

To Be Held at Yondam-myeon Sports Park

The first Yondam Dam Submerged Residents Reunion Day event will be held on July 12 at the Yondam-myeon Sports Park in Jinan-gun, North Jeolla Province.

According to the county on the 17th, this event is organized to evoke memories of home for the residents displaced by the construction of Yondam Dam and to allow them to reunite with long-missed neighbors. The event is hosted by the Yondam Dam Submerged Residents Reunion Day Organizing Committee, with support from Jinan-gun and the Korea Water Resources Corporation Yondam Dam branch.

Invitation to the 1st Yongdam Dam Displaced Residents Meeting Day Event, Provided by Jinan County

Twenty-five years ago, more than 12,000 residents from 68 villages across eight towns and townships in Jinan-gun had to leave their beloved hometowns for the construction of Yondam Dam. The neighbors they once lived with were separated, and the farmlands and mountains they cultivated disappeared beneath the waters of Yondam Lake.

In response, in December 2023, Jinan County Council member Lee Miok proposed an ordinance supporting the Yondam Dam Submerged Residents Reunion Day, which was subsequently enacted. The organizing committee, formed as a result, designated the second Saturday of every April as Reunion Day, with the inaugural event taking place this year.

This year’s first Reunion Day event will feature a variety of engaging programs for the displaced residents. There will be a photo exhibition showcasing scenes and people from the time of submergence.

To remind attendees of their hometown memories, there will be a 'Ppeongiyo' puffed rice stand reminiscent of the sounds of the old rural marketplace, a photo booth where visitors can wear school uniforms and take home their pictures, and a traditional Yutnori game corner on straw mats, among many other nostalgic experiences.

Additionally, there will be family-friendly programs such as caricature drawing, face painting, and cotton candy making, as well as a village tavern, food trucks, and a variety of local foods. Numerous prizes, including regional specialties and household goods, will also be prepared, making the event an unforgettable experience and another cherished memory for the displaced residents.

Jinan County Mayor Jeon Chunsung said, "We have prepared this as a precious opportunity to revisit the memories contained within Yondam Lake, the lifeblood of North Jeolla Province," and added, "We hope many people will come, see how their hometown has changed, and enjoy a wonderful time with neighbors they haven't seen in a long time."