The 72nd Baekje Cultural Festival, Chungnam’s representative historical and cultural festival, wrapped up its nine-day run in Gongju on the 11th.

Governor Park Soo-hyun attended the "Closing Ceremony of the 72nd Baekje Cultural Festival in Gongju," held at the main stage of Geumgang Singwan Park in Gongju on this day, to congratulate the festival on its successful conclusion and express his gratitude to the officials, volunteers, and provincial residents who worked hard on preparing and running the event.

Attended by about 150 people, including Governor Park, key dignitaries, festival visitors, and volunteers, the event proceeded in the order of a video screening, filling of the spirit fire (honbul), closing performance, and a celebratory concert.

Speaking at the event, Governor Park said, "Fifty-five years ago, when the Tomb of King Muryeong revealed itself to the world, the brilliant history and culture of Ungjin Baekje also came vividly back to life before us," adding, "The great Baekje spirit and dignified culture embodied in the Tomb of King Muryeong continue to breathe as Gongju's pride today."

Governor Park went on to emphasize, "As Gongju has been selected as one of the top five nationwide tourism zones centered around local airports, we will create a Baekje tourism belt connecting Cheongju Airport to Gongju, Buyeo, Iksan, and Jeonju," and added, "Centering around Gongsanseong Fortress and the Tomb of King Muryeong, we will combine Baekje's history with night tourism to foster Gongju into a captivating stay-over tourism city by both day and night."

The 72nd Baekje Cultural Festival was held for nine days from the 3rd to the 11th across the Gongju and Buyeo areas. Various programs were carried out, including opening and closing ceremonies, ancestral rites and rituals, performances, parades, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences, with an estimated 1.13 million visitors flocking to the festival during this period.

Moving forward, the province plans to link the Baekje Historic Areas—centered around Gongju and Buyeo—with local tourism, lodging, food, and night tourism contents to expand tourists' length of stay and local consumption, while continuously expanding the stay-over tourism infrastructure utilizing Baekje’s historical and cultural resources.

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