Visitors attend the 2026 Mungyeong Chasabal Festival at Mungyeongsaejae in North Gyeongsang Province. [Mungyeong City]
Visitors attend the 2026 Mungyeong Chasabal Festival at Mungyeongsaejae in North Gyeongsang Province. [Mungyeong City]

Mungyeongsaejae, a leading tourist destination in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, drew more than 1.85 million visitors in the first half of this year alone, setting a record for the site.

The Mungyeongsaejae Management Office said Saturday that cumulative visitors to the site reached 1,858,666 as of the end of last month.

That marks a 25.3 percent increase from 1,483,162 visitors during the same period last year.

The surge was driven by a steady stream of tourists visiting filming locations used in movies and drama series, as well as strong turnout at local festivals throughout the year.

The 2026 Mungyeong Chasabal Festival, held in May, alone drew 280,000 visitors.

Mungyeong City has been moving quickly to upgrade visitor amenities to keep pace with growing tourist numbers.

The management office expanded its headquarters parking lot for the first time since the building was completed in 1986, increasing spaces from eight to 22 to improve convenience for visitors and those with administrative business.

Near the second parking lot, the city also widened a 150-meter stretch of sidewalk and installed a new large bus stop.

Additional facilities for families were added inside Mungyeongsaejae, including a children's water play area and an indoor rest space at the visitor center.

Moon Sang-woon, head of the Mungyeongsaejae Management Office, said the more than 1.85 million visitors in the first half of this year alone proved that the city's tourism policies were resonating strongly with both residents and tourists. "We will continue improving parking and other amenities to make this one of South Korea's premier destinations," he said.


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