'2026 Korea Local Era Expo' to be held at OSCO in Cheongju from Dec. 10–12; official website relaunches Monday to kick off promotions
The "2026 Korea Local Era Expo (K-BALANCE 2026)," an event showcasing the changes and potential emerging from communities across South Korea, will be held in North Chungcheong Province this December.
The Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development announced Monday that the three-day expo will take place at OSCO in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, from Dec. 10 to 12.
Held under the theme "Vitality for the Regions, Charm for the Communities," the expo will feature exhibitions, conferences and participatory programs designed to let the public see and experience firsthand how the government's balanced-growth and local autonomy policies — centered on five major zones and three special regions — are transforming regional industries and daily life.
The first-floor exhibition hall will highlight the future each region is building, drawing on the zone-specific growth engines announced in August, with representative items from each area on display. Alongside this, the exhibition will introduce policy outcomes and industrial achievements from across the country, including youth policy initiatives and products from local companies.
A conference running Dec. 10 and 11 will take up "Vitality for the Regions" on the first day and "Charm for the Communities" on the second, with discussions focused on challenges and solutions for boosting regional energy and appeal.
A range of side events will also be prepared so that visitors can experience the distinct character and attractions of each region through all five senses.
The committee is relaunching the expo's official website Monday. Pre-registration will run from Nov. 2 to Nov. 29, with registered participants receiving prize draws and priority access to programs and events.
Further details on the event schedule and individual programs will be released on a rolling basis.
"Each region will develop its own unique competitiveness, and the government will actively support that effort to build a South Korea where a decent quality of life is guaranteed no matter where you live," said Park Jeong-hyeon, chair of the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development. "We hope many citizens will visit this expo and catch a glimpse of a bright future for Korea, led by its regions."
thlee@heraldcorp.com
