Nowon District Simultaneously Selected for "Local 100" Landmarks and Content, Proving Its Cultural City Brand Power

Two Initiatives Selected, Including Hwarangdae Railroad Park and Nowon Moonlight Walk

Nowon District in Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seungrok) announced on the 27th that two of its initiatives have been simultaneously selected as final candidates for the second round of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Korea Local 100" program, reaffirming its status as a cultural city. The nominated resources are "Hwarangdae Railroad Park & Nowon Light Garden (Craft Beer Festival)" and "Nowon Moonlight Walk," which were recognized in the landmark and content categories, respectively.

Scenes from the Nowon Craft Beer Festival held at Hwarangdae Railroad Park. Provided by Nowon District.

The Local 100 is a national support project aimed at developing local cultural assets into nationwide brands. This year, only 200 out of more than 1,000 entries across the country were selected for the online national vote, making competition among local governments fierce. In particular, Hwarangdae Railroad Park, which was selected as a landmark in the first round, is aiming for consecutive selection through consistent quality management and content expansion. Currently, only 24 second-round candidates have succeeded in advancing consecutively from the first round, proving their continued popularity since their initial selection.

In the cultural content category, "Nowon Moonlight Walk" stands out. Among the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul, only three local festivals made it to the second round of candidates. The light sculpture festival, held along the Danghyeoncheon Stream, was recognized for active resident participation in public art as well as its high popularity and artistic value, and was selected as an excellent case in the 2023 Local Government Productivity Awards. This year's festival will run until November 16.

Hwarangdae Railroad Park has grown into a leading local leisure and cultural space, featuring unique venues such as the Nowon Light Garden, Craft Beer Festival, train beverage caf?, and Swiss and Italian miniature museums, and has even received the Minister’s Award.

The final selection for the Local 100 will be determined through expert evaluation and an online national vote, which is open until the 31st. Participants in the vote will have a chance to win gift certificates and other prizes through a drawing.

Oh Seungrok, Mayor of Nowon District, stated, "I am proud that Nowon's cultural assets, both landmarks and content, have reached a national level," adding, "We will do our best to make Nowon a city rich in culture year-round."