Yongin Special City Hosts '2026 Republic of Korea Jo-a-Yong Festival' to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of City Status

Yongin Special City (Mayor Lee Sang-il) will host the '2026 Republic of Korea Jo-a-Yong Festival' for two days starting October 3 at Yongin Mir Stadium in Samga-dong, Cheoein-gu, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the city's elevation to city status.

The city has been celebrating by designating September 30, when 'Yongin County' was elevated to 'Yongin City' in 1996, as 'Yongin Citizens' Day' each year with commemorative events. Mayor Lee Sang-il instructed last year that a festival be held for Yongin citizens and people across the nation to enjoy. The city aims to host a festival featuring Korea's representative characters, renaming the event as the 'Jo-a-Yong Festival' and adding diverse attractions.

Centered on Yongin's signature character 'Jo-a-Yong,' this event showcases various domestic and international character content. Last year, the festival attracted 18 organizations from local schools and businesses with 29 characters, drawing over 45,000 visitors nationwide and demonstrating the enhanced urban brand of Yongin.

Under the theme 'Let's All Enjoy! Yongin's 30th Year,' the '2026 Republic of Korea Jo-a-Yong Festival' will feature 40 characters from 28 domestic and international organizations, offering new attractions.

The main highlights include parades and cosplay featuring various characters. The event will showcase characters representing Yongin's domestic and international sister cities, including Kumamoto, Japan, local governments nationwide, public institutions, local businesses, and universities, each displaying their unique charm.

The 31st Yongin Citizens' Day ceremony held on October 3 afternoon will welcome some 20 domestic and international sister cities, adding to the festival's excitement. Athletes such as Woo Sang-hyeok from Yongin City's track and field team, Lee Dong-guk, technical director of Yongin FC, and player Seok Hyun-jun will meet citizens and create special memories.

Various thematic linked events including the Cyber Science Festival featuring artificial intelligence (AI) technology, a lifelong learning exhibition, youth festival, food festiva, food industry expo, and Jo-a-Yong Food Festa will add to the festival's abundance.

The Cyber Science Festival, held for the 26th consecutive year, will operate under four themes: 'Future Technology Exploration,' 'Future Life Experience Workshop,' 'Future City Yongin,' and 'Future Science Leaders.' The main stage will feature performances such as robot dances, and various programs including soccer with humanoid robots and visitors will be available throughout the venue.

New science welfare content that can be experienced in daily life, such as demonstrations of elderly care services through AI robots, will also be introduced. Additionally, experience booths will be diverse, directly operated by local companies and institutions such as Samsung Electronics and Yongin City Industry Promotion Agency, as well as student clubs.

The food festival will begin with a launch ceremony for the city's agricultural product co-brand 'Yongin Fami Jo-a-Yong,' followed by diverse programs that allow visitors to participate and enjoy, including 'Fami Photo Zone,' 'Catch the Fami' event, and 'Fami Nacre Card Decorating,' promoting the agricultural product co-brand.

The food industry expo will feature a large bibimbap performance on October 3, with local food manufacturers, processors, and restaurants participating to promote and sell their products, showcasing various foods. In particular, promotion booths introducing 'Jo-a-Yong Restaurants' selected from 2024 to 2026 and food courts offering diverse cuisines will operate.

Mayor Lee Sang-il stated, "I was able to feel the enhanced status of Yongin's urban brand as many visitors attended the 'Jo-a-Yong Festival' held for the first time last year, adding to the festival's excitement. This year, on the occasion of the city's 30th anniversary, we have prepared an even more abundant event, and I hope all Yongin citizens and the entire nation will visit the Jo-a-Yong Festival to create joyful and special memories."