Lee Sang-hyeon, head of Pohang's Tourism and Convention City Promotion Division, holds a press briefing at Pohang City Hall on Tuesday morning to outline preparations for this year's Pohang International Fireworks Festival, the Homigot Korean New Year Sunrise Festival and other major events. [Photo by Kim Byung-jin]
Lee Sang-hyeon, head of Pohang's Tourism and Convention City Promotion Division, holds a press briefing at Pohang City Hall on Tuesday morning to outline preparations for this year's Pohang International Fireworks Festival, the Homigot Korean New Year Sunrise Festival and other major events. [Photo by Kim Byung-jin]

Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, plans to leverage its major second-half festivals to build a stay-and-enjoy tourism model that keeps visitors in the city longer.

Lee Sang-hyeon, head of Pohang's Tourism and Convention City Promotion Division, held a press conference at Pohang City Hall on Tuesday, saying the city is working to ensure tourists "stay in the area and enjoy Pohang's charms" through the Pohang Marine Corps Culture Festival, the International Fireworks Festival and the Homigot Korean New Year Sunrise Festival.

The 2026 Pohang Marine Corps Culture Festival will be held Nov. 14-15 around the Seomun intersection in Ocheon-eup and the Marine Corps 1st Division. The event will feature distinctive content — including a military parade, an urban survival game and a marine corps street food alley — as the city bids to establish it as the country's premier military culture festival.

The 2026 Pohang International Fireworks Festival follows from Nov. 19 to 21 at Yeongildae Beach and the Songdo area, closing with an international fireworks show on the final night.

This year's festival will expand its venue from Yeongildae across the Haeorumdae Bridge to Songdo, and will draw residents and tourists through a nighttime light parade and a public fireworks show.

The 29th Homigot Korean New Year Sunrise Festival — one of South Korea's signature New Year's events — will be held at Homigot Sunrise Square from Dec. 31 through Jan. 1, 2027, featuring an eve program and a sunrise ceremony designed to give visitors a memorable start to the new year.

Pohang is also working to link the festivals with the city's broader tourism assets.

Rather than having tourists attend a fireworks show and leave, the city aims to strengthen the infrastructure for extended stays — encouraging visitors to explore local attractions such as Jukdo Market, book overnight accommodation and inject vitality into the local economy.

Alongside this, the city is pressing ahead with construction of the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center (POEX) and efforts to attract a luxury hotel.

Pohang is building POEX with a target opening next year, after which it plans to actively pursue international conferences and exhibition events.

The city envisions using the facility to develop the MICE industry and raise Pohang's competitiveness as an international tourism and convention destination.

"We are on track with the construction of POEX and the recruitment of a luxury hotel, both targeting an opening next year," Lee said. "Once the center is complete, we expect it to attract a wide range of international conferences and exhibitions and contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry."

Lee added that the city would work to link the Pohang Marine Corps Culture Festival, the International Fireworks Festival and other events with key local attractions, "so that tourists stay longer and have enough time to fully enjoy the city."


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