"300,000 to Gather on the East Coast" Gangwon Province Mobilizes 1,142 Safety Personnel for Sunrise Event Safety

On December 31, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it has thoroughly prepared crowd management and safety measures, anticipating that tourists wishing to reflect on 2025 and greet the first sunrise of 2026 will flock to sunrise spots across the province.

A view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government

From December 31 to January 1, sunset and sunrise festivals will be held at four locations: Gyeongpodae and Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, and Expo Square and Sokcho Beach in Sokcho. More than 300,000 visitors are expected to gather at 10 sites across six cities and counties along the East Coast.

In particular, Gyeongpodae Beach and Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, which are easily accessible from the Seoul metropolitan area, are expected to attract many visitors with a variety of events such as sunset busking performances, fireworks, a New Year's countdown, and tea sharing.

Accordingly, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has conducted pre-event safety inspections at sunrise spots in the six East Coast cities and counties, including deploying safety management personnel, stationing rescue and ambulance vehicles and medical staff, operating cold weather shelters according to weather conditions, and installing beach heaters, to ensure that visitors can enjoy a safe and enjoyable sunrise event.

On January 1, 2026, when crowds are expected to peak, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the province, cities and counties, and related agencies will jointly conduct inspections of fire safety, gas, electricity, and other facilities at Gyeongpo and Jeongdongjin beaches in Gangneung. In addition, a total of 1,142 safety management personnel (497 public officials, 188 police and firefighters, and 457 others) will be deployed across the six cities and counties to manage on-site situations and prevent safety accidents.

Furthermore, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province expects large crowds at winter festivals in the province, such as the Pyeongchang Trout Festival starting January 8, 2026, and the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (from January 10, 2026). As these festivals take place on ice, the province will conduct joint inspections to ensure a safe and enjoyable winter festival experience.

Kim Juhwan, Director of the Social Disaster Division of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, urged, "Please follow the instructions of safety management personnel and be especially mindful of frostbite and hypothermia for a safe and enjoyable sunrise event," and expressed hope that the 2026 Byeongo Year sunrise event will mark the beginning of a precious and hopeful new year.