Participants of the J-Light Run are running dressed in military uniforms, traditional Korean clothing, and props. Provided by Jangseong County.
Jangseong County in South Jeolla Province is approaching the achievement of its goal to usher in the "Era of 10 Million Tourists," which was set to revitalize local tourism.
According to Jangseong County on November 16, the cumulative number of visitors to the county reached approximately 8.81 million as of October this year, an increase of about 4%, or roughly 340,000 people, compared to last year.
This performance was attributed to Jangseong County's independent tourism project, "2025 Year of Visiting Jangseong." The "2025 Year of Visiting Jangseong" is an annual event designed to attract tourists to the region. After going through preparatory stages such as planning from the end of last year, the county held a proclamation ceremony in February this year and began the full-scale implementation of the project.
As ambassador, the county drew attention by selecting Gamst (real name: Kim Injik), an influencer from Jangseong with 2.94 million YouTube subscribers. Gamst contributed to promoting the "Year of Visiting Jangseong" by appearing in broadcast advertisements as a talent donation.
The most popular official event was the "Rewarding Jangseong Travel Expense Support" program, held twice in April-May and July-August. Visitors from other regions who used accommodations, restaurants, or cafes during their stay and provided proof according to set conditions received Jangseong Love Gift Certificates worth up to 100,000 won per person or up to 200,000 won for two people.
The "Customized Tourism Taxi" service also attracted attention. It was offered in three-hour, five-hour, and eight-hour courses, with Jangseong County subsidizing 50% of the fare to reduce the burden on travelers. After making a reservation through the "Year of Visiting Jangseong" website, visitors could use the service, which will be available until the end of this year.
The "Premium Forest Tour Again" program, which enhanced travel convenience, also received positive feedback. It was designed based on the fact that hikers visiting Chukryeongsan Mountain by car had to return to their parking spot after reaching their destination. This project supports travelers by providing a free taxi ride back to their parking location after hiking. The service is available until the end of this year, and the application method can be found on the "Year of Visiting Jangseong" website.
Additionally, Jangseong County offered a variety of attractions, such as the "Stamp Tour," where visitors could receive prizes after touring tourist spots and collecting stamps, as well as street performances (busking).
Furthermore, it is analyzed that the first-ever hosting of the Jeonnam Sports Festival and Jeonnam Para Sports Festival in Jangseong played a significant role in attracting visitors. According to Korea Tourism Organization data, about 870,000 people visited Jangseong in April and 1.03 million in May during the two festivals, an increase of nearly 100,000 compared to the same period last year.
The successful hosting of Jangseong's representative local festivals, such as the "Hwangryonggang Gildongmu Flower Road Festival" and the "Hwangryonggang Autumn Flower Festival," also created a synergistic effect with the "Year of Visiting Jangseong" project. The revitalization of autumn tourist attractions, such as Baegyangsa Temple, which recorded over 1 million visitors for the first time last year by opening parking lots free of charge, is also noteworthy.
Kim Hanjong, Governor of Jangseong County, said, "The reason we were able to approach the 'Era of 10 Million Tourists' goal, which was set after the launch of the 8th popular election, is thanks to the active cooperation and dedication of residents and public officials. We will build on these achievements as a foundation and make an even greater leap forward so that 2026 can mark a new beginning for tourism in Jangseong."
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