2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival opens to packed crowds

The 2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival opened Saturday along the Namwon Stream and at Punggi Ginseng Park in Punggi-eup.

Residents and tourists flocked to the Namwon Stream and Punggi Ginseng Park area from the festival's opening day, according to Yeongju City.

The festivities began in the morning with a traditional ritual ceremony at Punggi Gaesam-teo, the historic site marking the origins of Punggi ginseng cultivation.

Yeongju Mayor Hwang Byeong-jik and other key officials attended to pray for the festival's success and the well-being of the region. Mayor Hwang served as chief officiant, city council Speaker Lee Sang-geun as second officiant, and Punggi Ginseng Cooperative Chairman Kwon Heon-jun as third officiant.

Ginseng sales booths, hands-on experience zones and food stalls drew steady crowds throughout the festival grounds, filling the venue with the energy of visitors eager to taste and enjoy Punggi ginseng.

In the afternoon, a historical procession re-enacted the arrival of Joseon-era magistrate Ju Se-bung — credited with introducing ginseng cultivation to the region — bringing the history and tradition of Punggi ginseng to life.

More than 200 participants dressed in hanbok set off from Punggi Station and marched through the town center to the festival grounds. The procession featured colorful flags, a traditional wind-and-percussion ensemble and samulnori performances that drew the attention of residents and tourists alike.

The opening ceremony followed at 4 p.m. on the main stage along the Namwon Stream, drawing such large crowds that spectator seats and the area surrounding the stage were filled to capacity.

Distinguished guests and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in South Korea joined the celebration, with a guest introduction, welcoming remarks and an opening performance. Singers Jang Han-byeol and Seong Ri then took the stage, lifting the excitement of opening day even further.

A range of hands-on programs — including ginseng peeling, ginseng injeolmi rice-cake pounding and ginseng foot baths — ran throughout the grounds, drawing enthusiastic participation from families and tourists.

Ginseng-infused dishes such as ginseng braised pork, ginseng bibimbap, ginseng knife-cut noodles and ginseng fritters proved popular, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Organizers also drew attention with tie-in events designed to channel festival foot traffic into the local ginseng market.

Visitors who spend 30,000 won ($22) or more at the festival grounds are entered into a draw for discount coupons redeemable at five major ginseng markets in the area, encouraging festivalgoers to extend their visit to local merchants.

Accessibility for rail travelers has also been improved.

KTX-Eum trains will make temporary stops at Punggi Station from Saturday through Monday and again from Friday through Oct. 11. A "Punggi Station Welcome Zone" will also operate in front of Exit 2 of Punggi Station throughout the festival, offering prize draws for passengers holding same-day train tickets.

Shuttle buses connecting Yeongju Station, the intercity bus terminal, Punggi Station and the festival grounds will run alongside a circular bus linking the festival site and the ginseng market, making it easy for visitors using public transportation to move between the two.

"We are delighted that so many people came out on opening day, and we hope visitors will continue to come to Punggi throughout the remaining days to enjoy the healthful energy of ginseng and the beauty of autumn," an official from the Yeongju Culture and Tourism Foundation said.

The 2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival runs through Oct. 11 — nine days in total — and offers hands-on experiences and food centered on freshly harvested Punggi ginseng, along with traditional cultural performances and cooking programs.