The Gyeongsangbuk-do Fire Headquarters is hosting the "2026 Safe Gyeongbuk Children's Happiness Dream Festival" for a two-day run from the 2nd to the 3rd at the Millennium Forest area of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Office. Under the slogan, "Making a child's today safe, and Gyeongbuk's tomorrow happy," the festival first began in 2022 and marks its 5th anniversary this year.

A total of 71 programs are being operated with participation from 68 organizations and groups, featuring 45 safety experience activities and 26 citizen participation and performance programs.

On the 2nd, Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo visited the festival venue to inspect major safety experience programs and encourage representatives from participating organizations.

The safety experience zone is organized into five categories: fire, traffic, disaster, daily life, and health. Programs include learning how to use water fire extinguishers and indoor fire hydrants, fire evacuation drills, and descending life-line (Wang-gwan-gi) experiences. In addition, activities such as wearing seatbelts, crossing pedestrian crosswalks, and virtual drunk driving experiences have been prepared.

The festival also operates natural disaster response experiences covering earthquakes, typhoons, wildfires, and water rescues, alongside water safety accidents, playground safety, and the prevention of four major addictions. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training are also provided.

Family participation programs include the Safety Pledge Challenge, the Golden Time Hero Mission, "Challenge! Timing 119," Safety OX Quizzes, and the Millennium Forest Treasure Hunt. Furthermore, highlights feature a Firefighting HERO Parade, search and rescue dog training demonstrations, a performance by the Central Fire Band, magic and bubble shows, a fire engine mass water discharge demonstration, and safety gymnastics with "TeunTeun."

Visitors can directly board aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles from the Air Force 16th Fighter Wing and fire trucks from the USFK Camp Walker. Futuristic command vehicles, drones, and water discharge trucks are also on display, accompanied by a robot dog demonstration. The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education is operating joint programs from the Gyeongju and Uiseong Safety Experience Centers.

Sung Ho-sun, head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Fire Headquarters, stated, "We thank the residents who have sent their interest and support to the Safe Gyeongbuk Children's Happiness Dream Festival this year. We will ensure that it establishes itself as a safety experience festival representing not only Gyeongbuk but the entire Republic of Korea through diverse safety experience programs."

Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo remarked, "This is a meaningful occasion where children can naturally learn daily safety rules while enjoying diverse experiences and performances, and families can reflect on the value of safety together. We will do our utmost to create a safe Gyeongbuk where all residents—from children to families—can live with peace of mind."

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]