Gangwon State announced that it will host the 「2026 Korea Yeongwol Garden Industry Fair」 alongside the Korea Forest Service and Yeongwol County for 10 days, from October 2 to 11, at Dongseogang Garden Cheongnyeongpowon in Yeongwol (433 Bangjeol-ri, Yeongwol-eup). (Note: Free shuttle buses will operate between Donggang Dunchi Park Parking Lot [61-9 Hasong-ri, Yeongwol-eup] and the venue.)

As the first Korea Garden Industry Fair to be held in Gangwon State, the event is themed "Nature’s Story Becomes a Garden." It will showcase a variety of contents, including the featured "The King’s Garden," invited artist, student, and resident-participating gardens, the Korea Garden Show, a garden industry exhibition, garden plant displays, and an international garden symposium. The fair is expected to connect gardens with tourism, industry, and the local economy, serving as an opportunity to expand Gangwon's garden culture and industry.

Connecting Yeongwol's History and Gardens… ‘The King’s Garden’ Capturing the Story of King Danjong The representative garden of the fair, "The King’s Garden," is an invited artist garden designed by Park Jung-ah, incorporating the history and unique sense of place of Yeongwol. Through three spaces—"Field of Yearning," "The King’s Place," and "Her Majesty’s Place"—the garden expresses through garden art the life of King Danjong, who was exiled to Cheongnyeongpowon, and his yearning for Queen Jeongsun. In particular, three pine trees from Sareung, the tomb of Queen Jeongsun donated by the Royal Palaces and Tombs Headquarters of the Heritage Administration, have been planted, weaving the story of King Danjong and Queen Jeongsun—who were ultimately unable to reunite over 500 years ago—into the natural landscape and gardens of Yeongwol.

Moving Beyond Gardens to Look At, Toward Gardens as an Industry The Garden Industry Exhibition will bring together related products and contents such as garden plants, horticultural and landscaping materials, and garden supplies in one place. Through the Korea Garden Show as well as student and resident participation gardens, visitors can encounter gardens interpreted through diverse perspectives, ranging from professional designers to local residents. On October 8, an international garden symposium featuring domestic and international garden experts will be held to discuss the history and value of royal gardens worldwide and the future of gardens. Gangwon’s garden city policy will also expand from Yeongwol to Chuncheon and Gangneung. Following Yeongwol County last year, Chuncheon City and Gangneung City were selected for the 2027 Garden City Construction Project this year, bringing the garden city initiative to three cities and counties across the province starting next year.

Kim Gyu-ha, Director of the Forest Environment Bureau, stated, "This Korea Garden Industry Fair, the first of its kind in Gangwon, is an event that combines Yeongwol's beautiful nature and history with garden culture and industry, showcasing the new potential of Gangwon's gardens. We will continue to expand the foundation of garden culture and industry so that gardens can become an everyday culture for residents and grow into a new resource connecting tourism, industry, and the local economy."

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