Seoul's Gangseo-gu is creating a space where North Korean defectors and local residents can understand each other's cultures and build connections.
Gangseo-gu will hold its first "2026 Gangseo-gu Donghaeng Festival" at Banghwa Neighborhood Park on Saturday at 10 a.m., District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon announced.
The festival was designed to broaden community understanding of and empathy toward North Korean defectors and help them settle into local life. It is co-hosted by the Seoul West Hana Center and the Deungtchon 7 and Banghwa 6 community welfare centers.
Held under the slogan "Connecting Hearts, Opening Neighbors in Gangseo," the event focuses on bringing North Korean defectors and local residents together to understand each other's lives and cultures.
The festival opens with a pre-ceremony performance by the Pyongyang Arirang Arts Troupe, a group made up of North Korean defectors. The opening ceremony will include commendations for three individuals recognized for their contributions to improving the quality of life and rights of North Korean defectors and supporting their integration into the community.
A range of programs will let participants experience food, language and culture from both Koreas. Through a "reunification train" craft activity, participants can learn about cultural differences between the two Koreas, and they can also try decorating "wish pens" for inter-Korean harmony and making Korean honeycomb candy in the shape of the Korean Peninsula.
Visitors will also have the chance to sample traditional North Korean food, with a booth serving eun-gamja-tteok (a type of potato rice cake) and injogogi-bap (a dish made with textured vegetable protein). A four-cut photo booth will be available for festival memories.
Gangseo-gu has long run various support programs aimed at helping North Korean defectors settle in and integrate into the community. These include providing side dishes to defectors living alone, relationship-building programs that connect them with local residents, and awareness campaigns.
"I hope this Donghaeng Festival becomes an opportunity for North Korean defectors and local residents to understand each other's cultures and grow a little closer," District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "We will spare no effort in supporting North Korean defectors so they can put down stable roots in Gangseo-gu and live alongside their neighbors."
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