Yongin Special City Celebrates 30 Years of City Status with '2026 Korea Love Yongin Festival'
Yongin Special City (Mayor Lee Sang-il) will host the '2026 Korea Love Yongin Festival' for two days starting October 3 at Yongin Mir Stadium in Samga-dong, Cheoin-gu, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the city's elevation to city status.
The city has designated the same date — September 30, 1996, when 'Yongin County' was elevated to 'Yongin City' — as 'Yongin Citizens' Day' each year and held commemorative events. Mayor Lee Sang-il instructed last year that a festival should be held for all Yongin citizens and the entire nation to enjoy. With the goal of hosting Korea's representative character festival, the city renamed the event the 'Love Yongin Festival' and added various attractions.
Centered on the city's representative character 'Love Yongin,' this event showcases diverse domestic and international character content all at once. Last year, 29 characters from 18 organizations including local schools and businesses participated, drawing some 45,000 visitors nationwide and gaining significant attention, demonstrating the rising urban brand status of Yongin.
This year's '2026 Korea Love Yongin Festival,' held under the theme 'Everyone Enjoys Yongin Together! Yongin's 30th Anniversary,' will feature 40 characters from 28 domestic and international organizations, offering new attractions.
The most eye-catching elements are the parade and cosplay featuring various characters. At this event, characters representing the city's domestic and international exchange cities, including Kumamoto, Japan, local governments nationwide, public institutions, local businesses, and universities will all make an appearance and showcase their unique charm.
The 31st Yongin Citizens' Day Commemoration Ceremony to be held on the afternoon of October 3 will see participation from about 20 domestic and international exchange cities, adding to the festive atmosphere. Athletes and directors, including Woo Sang-hyeok from the city's Track and Field team, Lee Dong-guk, Technical Director of Yongin FC, and player Seok Hyun-jun, will meet with citizens and create special memories.
Various thematic linked events including the Cyber Science Festival featuring artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Lifelong Learning Expo, Youth Festival, Food Festa, Food Industry Expo, and Love Yongin Food Festa will add to the richness of the celebration.
The Cyber Science Festival, being held for the 26th time this year, will operate under four themes: 'Future Technology Exploration,' 'Future Life Experience Workshop,' 'Future City Yongin,' and 'Future Science Star.' The main stage will feature performances including robot dances, while various programs such as soccer matches between humanoid robots and visitors will be held throughout the venue.
New science and welfare content that can be experienced in real life will also be showcased, including demonstrations of elderly care services through AI robots. Additionally, there will be diverse experience booths directly operated by local companies and institutions such as Samsung Electronics and Yongin City Industrial Promotion Agency, as well as student clubs.
At the Food Festa, commemorating the launch of the city's agricultural products co-brand 'Yongin Pami Love Yongin,' the event will feature various programs for visitors to participate in and enjoy, including a 'Pami Photo Zone,' 'Catch the Pami' event, and 'Pami Abalone Card Decorating,' to promote the agricultural products 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 products, showcasing a variety of foods. In particular, a promotional booth introducing 'Love Yongin's Favorite Restaurants' selected from 2024 to 2026 and a food court offering various cuisines will also operate.
Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "At last year's first-ever 'Love Yongin Festival,' many visitors came and heightened the festive atmosphere, and we could feel the rising status of Yongin's urban brand." He added, "This year, as we mark the city's 30th anniversary, we have prepared an even more abundant event. We hope that not only Yongin citizens but all Korean citizens will visit the Love Yongin Festival and create joyful and special memories."