Running for 18 days from Oct. 29 to Nov. 15, the opening ceremony held on Oct. 31 around Andong Station drew over 2,000 attendees

Up to 50% discounts on agricultural, livestock, and marine products, a 1.7 billion won Win-Win Consumption Lottery, and linkage with traditional markets and local commercial districts 

The "2026 Korea Grand Festival" (KoGFe)—a pan-governmental consumption-promotion event involving approximately 40,000 companies from the manufacturing, distribution, and service sectors, as well as small business owners—has officially opened in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The event is structured to ensure that consumption at the venue naturally flows into nearby traditional markets and local commercial districts.

KoGFe is a mega-festival that integrates consumption-promotion events previously organized individually by 10 different government ministries. It runs for 18 days from October 29 to November 15, with its official opening ceremony held on October 31 around the Andong Station area.

The opening ceremony brought together over 2,000 people, including Prime Minister Han Sung-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young, North Gyeongsang Province Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Yang Geum-hee, and National Assembly Member Kim Hyung-dong, alongside other government and regional figures, corporate and small business representatives, and tourists.

Departing from conventional methods where product sales were confined within the event venue, this year's event was designed to connect visitors' spending directly with nearby commercial districts. Prior to the opening ceremony, attendees visited representative stores in the downtown commercial district to purchase goods and encourage local merchants. They also toured policy-promotion booths set up by various government ministries.

The opening ceremony featured a promotional video screening, an opening address by the Minister of SMEs and Startups, a congratulatory speech by the Prime Minister, and a ceremonial "KoGFe Gift Box Opening." It was followed by a Win-Win Concert featuring popular singers such as Song Ga-in and Lee Chan-won.

Concertgoers were able to exchange their 20,000-won concert tickets for Andong Love Gift Certificates of the exact same value right at the venue—a measure designed to ensure that the spending by concert attendees directly benefits the local economy.

Nearby commercial districts also hosted consumption-promotion events tied in with the opening ceremony. The Andong Gu Market held its Dakjjim (braised chicken) Festival, while the Jungang Shin Market and Yongsang Market operated night markets, food events, interactive programs, and prize giveaways.

Throughout the KoGFe period, a wide range of consumption benefits will be offered, including up to 50% discounts on agricultural, livestock, and marine products for the kimchi-making season, a 1.7 billion-won Win-Win Consumption Lottery, higher discount rates for digital Onnuri gift certificates, and lodging discount coupons. Detailed information can be found on the official website (www.koreagrandfestival.kr).

During the event, the provincial government requested Prime Minister Han Sung-sook and Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young for prompt additional support regarding massive wildfire damage, the selection of Gyeongbuk as a cooperative startup city, the hosting of the Asia-Pacific AI Center in Gyeongju, and an increase in the national subsidy ratio for the rural and fishing village basic income project.

"It is highly meaningful that the opening ceremony of the Korea Grand Festival, South Korea's representative consumption festival, is being held in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, a region where history and tradition breathe," said Yang Geum-hee, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of North Gyeongsang Province. "We hope this festival serves as an opportunity for many citizens to visit Gyeongbuk, and that their footsteps will lead to traditional markets and local commercial districts, breathing new vitality into the regional economy."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]