First event held since the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, laying a new starting point for Yeonghonam win-win cooperation
A venue for cultural and artistic exchange unfolds in Gyeongju, the city that successfully hosted the APEC Summit

The ‘2026 Yeonghonam Win-Win Cooperation Harmony Festival’ was held in Gyeongju from October 30 to November 1. This marks the first festival since Jeonnam and Gwangju were officially launched as an integrated special city.

North Gyeongsang Province and the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City have established an opportunity to expand cooperation in cultural and artistic exchanges as well as the distribution of agricultural and marine specialties.

Under the theme “Beyond Win-Win, Toward the Future of the Republic of Korea!”, the festival was designed to expand cultural and arts exchanges between the Yeonghonam regions and broaden cooperation between the two areas.

Performance, exhibition, and experience programs featuring artists and residents from both regions took place around the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO) and the APEC Memorial Park (formerly Gyeongju Expo Grand Park).

The official opening ceremony, held on the 31st at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center, was attended by some 300 cultural and arts figures, including Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor Min Hyung-bae, provincial and municipal council chairs and members, and representatives from arts organizations, cultural centers, and Confucian scholar associations from both regions.

The opening ceremony began with a joint performance by artists from the Yeonghonam region. Following welcoming remarks by the heads of both regional governments and the delivery of hometown love donations, a harmony-and-unity performance utilizing the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok and a special performance by a children's choir took place.

Under the theme “Resonance, Unified Echo,” the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok performance carried the meaning of Yeonghonam harmonizing as one. The children's choirs from both regions delivered a message of hope to be built together by future generations.

At the APEC Memorial Park, a Yeonghonam fine arts exchange exhibition, a win-win agricultural and marine specialty market, a harmony concert, and hands-on experience programs were held.

The agricultural and marine specialty market showcased excellent local agricultural and marine products and processed foods from both regions, supporting expanded distribution channels and promoting consumption for local producers.

The fine arts exchange exhibition introduced the cultures of both regions by showcasing works embodying their respective local characteristics.

Taking advantage of this festival, the province plans to expand Yeonghonam exchanges from culture and arts into various fields, including the distribution of agricultural and marine specialties and the local economy.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, “Yeonghonam has been an essential partner that has jointly led the history, culture, and industrial development of the Republic of Korea. I hope this event, where both regions harmonized as one in Gyeongju—which successfully hosted the APEC Summit—serves as a new turning point for win-win cooperation.”

He added, “By leveraging each other's strengths and joining forces, Yeonghonam will work together to create a new Korea led by the regions.”

Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor Min Hyung-bae noted, “I hope this event, the first since the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju, serves as a new catalyst for Yeonghonam cooperation. Based on the exchanges and trust we have built thus far, we will expand practical cooperation in various fields such as culture and economy.”

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]