The Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation (President Kim Nam-il, hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") is presenting the "Korean Native Dog History and Culture Special Exhibition" and the "2026 Gyeongju Pet Race" as part of its pet-friendly tourism city development project.

The "Korean Native Dog History and Culture Special Exhibition," running from October 16 to 25 at the Culture Center Exhibition Hall of the Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, covers the stories of Korean native dogs throughout history, from ancient times to the modern era. Through records, artifacts, and photos capturing the appearance of native dogs, the exhibition introduces their historical and cultural value.

Visitor participation programs will also be held, including interaction activities with Donggyeongyi (a native Korean dog breed), experiences of dogs' visual capabilities, and coloring Munbaedo (paintings of door guardians to ward off evil). These programs are designed for visitors to experience our native dogs closely and better understand companion dogs.

On November 22, the "2026 Gyeongju Pet Race," where companion dogs and their guardians participate together, is scheduled to be held. It is an event where participants can enjoy autumn Gyeongju while running with their companion dogs, welcoming pet families from all over the country.

President Kim Nam-il stated, "I hope this special exhibition raises awareness of the history and cultural value of our native dogs and leads to a deeper interest in Gyeongju Donggyeongyi. We will continue to operate tourism programs so that travelers visiting Gyeongju with their companion dogs can fully enjoy the region's attractions and culture."

Meanwhile, from June to September this year, the Corporation operated a total of six 1박 2일 (2-day, 1-night) seasonal specialized tours targeting dog-accompanying tourists nationwide. The itinerary allowed visitors to explore major Gyeongju attractions—such as Cheomseongdae, Gyerim Forest, Padosori-gil, Gyeongju Eupseong, and Silla Wanggyeong Forest—with their companion dogs. Each session recruited 15 to 20 guardians and up to 20 companion dogs, filling its capacity every time.

Along with these programs, the Corporation operates a pet welcome center and a dog playground inside Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, and provides promotional materials containing information on pet-friendly local cafes and restaurants to help travelers visit Gyeongju with ease.

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