Selected From 1,042 Candidates... Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival Proves Excellence in Local Cultural Content
Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province announced that the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, one of the representative festivals of the Republic of Korea, has been finally selected for the second round of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s (hereinafter referred to as the MCST) “Local 100 (Top 100 Local Cultural Attractions)” program.
Launched in 2023, the “Local 100” program is a project that selects distinctive local cultural assets, such as cultural spaces and content, and promotes them widely.
This year in particular, in order to encourage active public participation, the MCST significantly expanded opportunities for engagement by allowing citizens to recommend candidates during the selection process. For this second round, a total of 1,042 candidates were submitted through recommendations from the public and local governments. Among the 200 shortlisted candidates, the “Second Local 100” was finally selected through online voting and expert review.
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival reselected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'Local 100' - Photo
The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival applied in the local cultural content category and, following its inclusion in the first round, once again made the list for the second round, thereby reaffirming its differentiated cultural value.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to promote the “Second Local 100,” chosen directly by the public, as a leading local cultural brand of the Republic of Korea by producing online and offline content linked to “Local 100,” and by launching products and experiential programs in collaboration with private companies.
Meanwhile, in 2023, the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival was selected for “Local 100” and also received the “Regional Culture Grand Prize,” which is awarded to only three locations nationwide, thereby gaining recognition for its excellence. It was also re-designated as an Honorary Culture and Tourism Festival for the years 2026-2027.
Last year, the Yudeung Festival was held in the areas around the Namgang River and Jinju Fortress for 16 days from October 4 to October 19, attracting a total of about 1.72 million visitors. Visitors from outside the region accounted for 62.5%, demonstrating a strong inflow effect from other areas.
The utilization rate of nearby commercial districts was also surveyed at 63.8%, indicating that spending in surrounding business areas increased significantly during the festival period. Per capita consumption expenditure reached 143,383 won, up about 26% from the previous year, and the direct and indirect economic impact on the local economy was estimated at about 240 billion won, making a substantial contribution to revitalizing local commerce.
Jinju Mayor Cho Kyu-il stated, “The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival being selected for Local 100 for the second consecutive time is the result of recognition of our festival’s unique cultural value,” adding, “Going forward, we will do our utmost to develop it into a global festival beloved by domestic and international tourists, in connection with promotional support from the MCST.”
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