Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival Draws Over 58,000 Visitors in First Three Days... Ginseng Trout Craze

14th Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival Draws Huge Crowds
Fishing Sites Sell Out Over the Weekend

Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province announced on January 12 that a total of approximately 58,327 people entered the festival grounds over three days, from the opening ceremony of the 14th Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival on January 9 through the weekend until January 11.

Citizens are enjoying fishing at the 14th Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival, which opened on the 9th. Provided by Hongcheon County

On the opening day, January 9, 13,216 visitors entered the festival, followed by 24,386 on Saturday, January 10, and 20,725 on Sunday, January 11.

In particular, during the weekend, tickets for the ice and floating dock fishing sites sold out early each day, with afternoon tickets for the ice fishing site on January 10 selling out within just one hour of sales opening, indicating a concentrated demand for entry.

The main attraction of this year’s festival is the Hongcheon Ginseng Trout. This local specialty fish is raised on feed mixed with six-year-old ginseng, and serves as a key factor driving the increase in visitors, as it is featured in both the ice fishing experience and the sashimi center.

Hongcheon County has increased accessibility by lowering the price of tickets for the ice and floating dock fishing sites from 20,000 won to 15,000 won this year. All tickets are sold on-site, and entry is managed by dividing tickets into morning and afternoon sessions. When visitors leave, additional entrants are allowed in, enabling flexible management of the number of people admitted per session.

Citizens are enjoying fishing at the 14th Hongcheongang Kkongkkong Festival, which opened on the 9th. Provided by Hongcheon County

The festival grounds are centered around fishing experience zones, including the ice fishing site, floating dock fishing site, and family indoor fishing area. There are also ice and snow sledding areas, various experience booths, a sashimi center, local restaurants, outdoor eateries, food trucks, stage performances, singing contests, and other side events, all designed to encourage longer stays.

To accommodate the large number of visitors, Hongcheon County is also focusing on traffic and parking management. During the festival, public off-street parking lots and the Hongcheon Traditional Market public parking lot are open free of charge to help disperse visitors and facilitate convenient movement.