Chilgok Burger Festa attracts 10,000 visitors to Waegwan

Approximately 10,000 visitors attended the ‘2026 Chilgok Burger Festa’ held at Waegwan Station Plaza on March 3. The festival featured local handcrafted burgers, desserts made from regional agricultural products, flea markets, busking performances, and burger-making experiences.

The event was designed to leverage the unique local history of Waegwan, where a dining culture influenced by the presence of the U.S. military base Camp Carroll led to the development of Western-style cuisine. By reinterpreting these local characteristics through the popular medium of burgers, the county aims to expand its tourism content.

Chilgok County Mayor Kim Jae-uk noted that the festival's success extended to nearby traditional markets, restaurants, and cafes, revitalizing the old downtown area. The county plans to continue linking local food, culture, and tourism resources to promote stay-over tourism via the Daegyeong Line.