Workers at more than 10 public institutions, residents and merchants in Wonju's innovation city in Gangwon Province are coming together for a community festival.
The 2026 Hyeoksin Festa, hosted and organized by Wonju City and the Wonju Culture Foundation with support from Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, will run from Oct. 15 through Oct. 17 at Mirinaegeori in the innovation city (around 1902 Bangok-dong).
Timely good news accompanied the announcement. The Korea Construction Machinery Safety Management Institute labor union signed an MOU with Wonju City to relocate the organization's headquarters to Wonju — the first such agreement between the city and a union of a public institution targeted for relocation since the government announced the principles and direction for the second round of public institution relocations. The deal was reached after the union moved quickly to build internal consensus on the move.
Because the institute is still in the early stages of committing to the innovation city, it will not officially take part in this year's festival, but the prospect of a growing community is expected to add to the excitement felt by residents, public institution employees and local merchants heading into the event.
The festival was designed to revitalize the local community and energize the commercial district through cultural programming that brings together relocated public institutions, residents and merchants.
With the second round of public institution relocations on the horizon, the event is also expected to serve as an opportunity for institutions, residents and merchants to gather, communicate and pool the community's collective energy.
The venue will feature food and retail booths, promotional booths run by relocated public institutions, and a playground area. A range of performances by local artists and professional troupes, organized in partnership with the Wonju Culture Foundation, will also be on offer. The three days will each carry a distinct theme — Public Institution Day, Innovation City Merchants' Day and Innovation City Residents' Day — with programming tailored to each.
The opening day, Oct. 15, is designated Public Institution Day. The opening ceremony will feature a performance expressing hopes for the second round of public institution relocations, followed by a musical gala show with the Dongmi Bicycle Music Band and musical actors Choi Dae-cheol and Park So-yeon, among other performances.
Oct. 16 is Innovation City Merchants' Day, featuring a stamp tour of merchant booths, a public auction and busking performances by local merchants. A range of participatory programs will be offered to encourage visitors to explore the local commercial district and enjoy the festival alongside merchants.
Oct. 17 is Innovation City Residents' Day, with a "Show Off Our Neighborhood" event and a circus performance for families, aimed at drawing residents into the festivities and fostering community connection.
Participating organizations will operate promotional booths and provide promotional materials, including the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the Korea National Park Service, the National Health Insurance Service, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation, the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the Gangwon Innovation City Development Support Center and the Wonju Innovation City Merchants' Association.
"We hope this Hyeoksin Festa becomes a place where public institutions, merchants and residents can come together, communicate and enjoy themselves," said An Guk-ryang, head of the regional development division at Wonju City. "We will continue to develop diverse programs that reflect the character of the innovation city, expand participation among community members, and grow this into a festival that truly represents the innovation city."
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