The "2026 Korea Local Era Expo" to be Hosted in Chungcheongbuk-do
-Co-hosted by the Presidential Committee for Local Era, Chungcheongbuk-do, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety
-A nationwide festival featuring policy exhibitions, conferences, and public participation events
-Showcasing successful models of the Local Era, including the "Chungbuk Regional Development Vision for the 9th Popularly Elected Term"

Chungcheongbuk-do announced that the "2026 Korea Local Era Expo," the nation's largest regional exposition sharing the achievements of balanced national development policies and presenting the vision for a new local era, will be held for three days from Thursday, December 10, to Saturday, December 12, 2026, at Cheongju OSCO.

Marking its 5th anniversary this year since the integration of the Balanced Development Expo and the Local Government Expo in 2022, this expo is co-hosted by the Presidential Committee for Local Era, Chungcheongbuk-do, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It is a large-scale national event featuring extensive participation from metropolitan cities/provinces, provincial offices of education, central ministries, and major public institutions.

【 2026 Korea Local Era Expo (K-BALANCE 2026) Overview 】
Dates & Venue: December 10 (Thu) – December 12 (Sat), 2026 / Cheongju OSCO, Chungcheongbuk-do
Co-hosts: Presidential Committee for Local Era, Chungcheongbuk-do, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of the Interior and Safety
Organizers: Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), Korea Productivity Center (KPC)
Participating Institutions: 47 institutions in total (central ministries, metropolitan local governments, provincial offices of education, public institutions)
Key Events: Opening ceremony, exhibition events, conferences, and side events

Through this expo, the 9th popularly elected administration of Chungcheongbuk-do plans to showcase Chungbuk-led "Local Era Success Models" nationwide and widely publicize its blueprint for provincial administration, leaping beyond the center of the country to become a core axis of balanced growth in South Korea.

The expo will broadly consist of an opening ceremony, exhibition events, conferences, and public participation side events. The core exhibition program will feature diverse zones, including the Local Era Committee Pavilion, Central Ministries Pavilion, and national city/province and provincial office of education pavilions.

Chungcheongbuk-do will set up a dedicated "Host City Special Pavilion" centering on the 9th-term administrative direction, "Great Transformation of Chungbuk! Practical Livelihood Chungbuk," and its core vision, the "5 Special Provinces" (① Startup Special Province with Abundant Opportunities, ② Safe Special Province without Blind Spots, ③ Balanced Special Province through Regional Coexistence, ④ Cultural Special Province Enjoyed by Everyone, and ⑤ Practical Special Province Communicating with Residents). Here, it will present Chungbuk's differentiated future vision and administrative achievements.

During the conferences, academic experts, local government officials, and government representatives will gather to discuss in-depth key policies and practical measures for regional balanced growth emphasized by the 9th-term administration, such as creating jobs for local youth and overcoming the crisis of population decline.

In addition, various side events will be prepared inside and outside the venue so that the expo goes beyond a simple policy fair to become a festival that all citizens can experience and enjoy. Detailed programs will be sequentially released through the official Korea Local Era Expo website.

An official from Chungcheongbuk-do stated, "Hosting the 2026 Korea Local Era Expo will serve as an important milestone to widely announce the 'Great Transformation of Chungbuk,' leaping forward as a leading local government for balanced growth in South Korea. As the host region, we will ensure thorough preparations for hospitality and safety to create a joyful festival enjoyed by both local residents and the entire nation."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]