Gimpo City to Host "2025 Gimpo Marine Corps Cultural Festival"
Festival to Take Place on November 1 at Warship Park and Daemyeonghang Port
Branding Gimpo’s Unique Border and Military Identity Through Culture
New Possibilities for Security Tourism Anticipated
Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) will host the 2025 Gimpo Marine Corps Cultural Festival at the Gimpo Warship Park and Daemyeonghang Port on November 1.
Now in its second year, following last year's inaugural event, the Gimpo Marine Corps Cultural Festival is a branding initiative that leverages the unique characteristics of Gimpo, which features many border and military areas, and expresses them through culture. The festival is significant in that it helps shift perceptions of border regions and reveals new possibilities for security tourism.
This year, the festival has been upgraded from last year's debut, with the theme of an interactive event where citizens and the Marine Corps participate together. Various programs have been prepared, including the highlight "Marine Corps Amphibious Landing Operation Demonstration."
The highlight of the festival is the "Marine Corps Amphibious Landing Operation Demonstration." This demonstration, which will mobilize the Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle (KAAV) and helicopters, is expected to be a rare and spectacular sight for citizens. Notably, the public will have the opportunity to board the KAAV used in the demonstration, allowing them to experience the Marine Corps' powerful mobility firsthand.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Around Gimpo Warship Park, booths will be open from 11 a.m., allowing visitors to experience and participate in Marine Corps culture. Major hands-on activities include shooting experiences, military dog tag and octagonal cap making, and sampling military rations. There will also be camouflage face-painting, military uniform and gear experiences, as well as a variety of equipment displays and boarding experiences, offering a much richer lineup of programs compared to last year. These activities will allow everyone to become more familiar with Marine Corps culture.
In addition, there will be a "Steel Muscles Contest" that highlights the Marine Corps' strong image, as well as a "Singing Contest" where citizens and Marines can perform together. Various performances and stage events are planned to foster unity between citizens and the Marine Corps.
Meanwhile, the city has prepared measures to support local economic revitalization by linking the festival with businesses around Daemyeonghang Port. Event coupons usable at local businesses will be distributed to festival visitors, encouraging them not only to enjoy the festival but also to patronize nearby restaurants and shops.
A city official stated, "This year's Gimpo Marine Corps Cultural Festival has evolved into an interactive and participatory event where citizens can directly experience and communicate Marine Corps culture, rather than just watching and enjoying it. We hope families, couples, and friends will visit together to enjoy the impressive presence of the Marine Corps and thrilling experiences."
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