13-Year-Old Completes 23-Day Ice Fishing Marathon, Named Honorary Ambassador of Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival

Eunsung Lee from Seoul Stayed for 24 Days from the Day Before Opening to the Closing Day
Demonstrated His “Master Angler” Skills by Sharing His Catch with Beginner Fishers

The story of a 13-year-old boy who spent all 24 days at the ice fishing site during the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival has become a hot topic, showcasing his extraordinary love for the festival.

2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, Lee Yoonseong visiting the Sancheoneo ice fishing site throughout the festival period. Provided by Hwacheon County

The protagonist is Eunsung Lee (13), who came from Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Set to enter middle school this year, Lee arrived in Hwacheon with his father Yongmin Lee on January 9, the day before the festival opened. He stayed in Hwacheon until the closing day, February 1, spending a remarkable 23 days there and setting a rare record of fishing day and night throughout the entire festival period.

Lee’s connection with the Sancheoneo Festival began when he was just four years old. Having visited the festival every year with his father, Lee wanted to commemorate his upcoming entry into middle school by spending the entire festival period at the fishing site. He persuaded his father, and together they planned this extended stay. To achieve this, father and son stayed at a nearby pension for 24 days, engaging in ice fishing battles with sancheoneo trout from morning until night each day.

Thanks to spending nearly a month at the site, Lee’s fishing skills reached the level of a true master. Lee did more than just catch fish; he generously shared the sancheoneo he caught with tourists nearby who hadn’t managed to catch any, spreading the joy of the festival with others.

Upon hearing this heartwarming story, the festival organizing committee, Nara Foundation, decided to recognize Lee’s passion and kindness by appointing him as an 'Honorary Sancheoneo Festival Ambassador' at the closing ceremony to be held on February 1 at 6 p.m. on the special stage at the festival site.

During the entire 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, Yoonseong Lee and his father Yongmin Lee visited the Sancheoneo ice fishing site. Provided by Hwacheon County

Eunsung Lee said, “Ice fishing for sancheoneo is so much fun that I never get tired of fishing every day,” and added, “I definitely want to come back to Hwacheon with my dad again next year.”

Moonsoon Choi, Chairman of the Nara Foundation, said, “Eunsung’s pure passion deeply moved many visitors to the festival,” and added, “As an honorary ambassador, I hope Eunsung will return to Hwacheon next year in good health, just as he is now.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.