South Korea promotes national heritage through food culture and regional festivals

South Korea is hosting various cultural initiatives centered on national heritage. The 2026 National Heritage Week will take place throughout October, spanning five major regions including Seoul, Incheon, Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang. This year's theme focuses on ‘Korean food culture,’ connecting historical sites with regional culinary traditions. Programs include making black bean noodles in Incheon, preparing traditional rice in Gimje, and experiencing the ancestral cuisine of the Choi Buja house in Gyeongju.

In Gongju, the 2026 Gongju National Heritage Night successfully concluded, featuring 46 programs themed around night views, history, and local stories. The event utilized modern heritage sites, such as the Gongju Jeil Church, for media facade displays and featured a 1926 modern-era recreation set. The festival also emphasized local economic cooperation, with residents and merchants operating night markets and flea markets to revitalize the downtown commercial district.