Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival Draws 330,000 Visitors: Kimchi Experience, Salted Seafood Train, and Port Market a Huge Hit

Establishing Nonsan as a Premier Autumn Destination
A National Salted Seafood Festival Blending Tradition and Modernity

The Ganggyeong-eup area in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, was bustling with 330,000 tourists. The "2025 Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival" was a resounding success, capturing the essence, flavor, and passion of the region, and has emerged as a premier autumn festival representing the nation. Various programs such as kimchi-making experiences, the Ganggyeong Port Market, and the Salted Seafood Train received enthusiastic responses.

The Nonsan city government announced on October 27 that the "2025 Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival," held from October 23 to October 26, attracted approximately 330,000 visitors and concluded successfully.

This year's festival, themed "Harmony of Ganggyeong Salted Seafood and Sangwol Sweet Potatoes," was recognized as a leading event that revitalized both the local economy and tourism by combining a recreated traditional market with hands-on experiences, culinary delights, and sightseeing.

The most eye-catching program was the "Ganggyeong Port Market," which recreated the atmosphere of a commercial city in the late Joseon Dynasty. The market featured performances by local merchants and traditional music troupes, street market experiences, and a blacksmith exhibition, allowing visitors to vividly experience the ambiance of Ganggyeong from a century ago.

The kimchi-making experience was also a major hit, with long lines forming every day. Participants made and packaged their own kimchi using Ganggyeong salted seafood, with many remarking that they "discovered a new charm in salted seafood."

The Nonsan Korean Beef, Sangwol Sweet Potato, and Salted Seafood Sauce Barbecue Camp was especially popular among families, offering a unique taste by combining local agricultural products with salted seafood.

This year's festival was organized as a community-driven event, with the residents' council and volunteers maintaining a clean environment and ensuring a "no price gouging" policy. Merchants contributed to the "good market" image by offering a consistent 20% discount on salted seafood products.

In particular, salted seafood vendors achieved an average of 40 million won in sales each, totaling nearly 800 million won in sales. Sangwol sweet potatoes sold out at 14.7 tons, generating about 45 million won in revenue, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Additionally, the "Salted Seafood Train," operated in collaboration with Korail, sold out all seats and gained attention as a new model for attracting tourists from the Seoul metropolitan area. Efforts to operate the festival in an eco-friendly manner continued, with the use of reusable containers and minimizing single-use items.

Mayor Baek Seonghyeon stated, "This festival was made possible by the unity of citizens, merchants, and public officials," and added, "Next year, we will further refine the program to develop it into Korea's leading autumn festival."

He continued, "With the strength demonstrated through this festival, we will also ensure the successful hosting of the 2027 World Strawberry Industry Expo in Nonsan."