"Uiryeong Keunjulttaenggi" Postponed for Flood Recovery; Rescheduled for 2027

Heavy Rainfall in July Causes Widespread Damage Across the Region
Large-Scale Event Postponed Due to Community Burden and Participation Concerns

Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang Province announced on August 14 that the traditional folk game "Uiryeong Keunjulttaenggi," which is held every three years, will be postponed and instead take place in April 2027 during the Honguijanggun Festival, taking into account the conditions for flood recovery.

The county explained that, due to heavy rainfall in July that caused damage throughout the area, holding such a large-scale event requiring significant resident participation and costs this year would place a heavy burden on the local community. In order to hold the Keunjulttaenggi event next year, preparations such as purchasing rice straw and securing manpower to make the rope would need to begin as early as this fall.

Uiryeong Keunjulttaenggi postponed for one year due to flood damage, to be held in 2027. Provided by Uiryeong County

Choi Myungwoong, president of the Uiryeong Keunjulttaenggi Preservation Association, stated, "We decided to postpone the event by one year after consulting with Uiryeong County, in sympathy with the difficulties faced by our residents," and added, "With sufficient time, we will thoroughly prepare for the event in two years, including securing rice straw and other necessary advance tasks."

Meanwhile, Uiryeong Keunjulttaenggi, designated as Gyeongsangnam-do Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 20, is a traditional folk game that draws domestic and international attention for its historical value and scale. Since 1975, it has been held every three years as a subsidiary event of the Uibyeong Festival and continues to this day. Its size and scale set a world record, and in September 2005, it was listed in the Guinness World Records (for the largest rope).

Uiryeong Keunjulttaenggi Postponed for One Year Due to Flood Damage, Scheduled for 2027. Provided by Uiryeong County

At that time, the rope measured 251 meters in length, 5 to 6 meters in circumference at its thickest part (2.2 meters in diameter), and weighed 54.5 tons. In 2015, it was jointly inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, along with Yeongsan Juldarigi, Gijisi Juldarigi, Samcheok Gijuldarigi, Gamnae Gejul Danggigi, and Namhae Seongu Julkkeutgi, earning global recognition for its value.