2025 Chuncheon Makguksu and Dakgalbi Festival a Hit...Numerous Noise Complaints from Residential Areas

The 2025 Chuncheon Makguksu and Dakgalbi Festival attracted more citizens and tourists than usual, resulting in a successful turnout. However, issues such as limited space and noise in residential areas were highlighted.
This year, Chuncheon moved the festival to the fall to avoid the summer heat and relocated the main venue near Gongjicheon Trail to improve accessibility. The event also expanded beyond a single location to cover areas across the city, including Myeong-dong, Onui-dong, Hupyeong-dong, and Sinbuk-eup.
Thanks to greatly improved accessibility, the main venue at Gongjicheon Trail was packed with visitors except on the rainy evening of the 17th.
As visitor numbers exceeded expectations, Chuncheon increased the number of staff from the 17th and added about 100 new tables to enhance convenience.
Notably, the festival received positive feedback for departing from previous years’ focus on Trot performances and night markets, instead featuring shows created by citizens and local artists.
Additionally, the main venue featured booths selling makguksu and dakgalbi, while the nearby trail offered a farmer’s market, the Geunhwadong 396 Flea Market, the International Building, and Local Brand Booths, all of which increased satisfaction among families.
The number of participating makguksu and dakgalbi vendors also doubled from eight last year to sixteen this year. During the festival, about 90 makguksu and dakgalbi restaurants across Chuncheon offered discount events, turning the entire city into a festive atmosphere.
However, the limited space at the venue, fatigue among nearby residents due to performance noise, insufficient parking, and a lack of amenities were pointed out as issues that must be addressed.
Although the main venue near Chuncheon Police Station allowed citizens and out-of-town visitors using Namchuncheon Station to easily access the festival, many felt that the narrow spaces along both sides of the stream made it unsuitable for hosting a large-scale event.

Chuncheon resident Park Ji-won commented, "Gongjicheon Trail is ideal for small-scale festivals, but with such large crowds as this year, it’s not suitable. Many visitors were unable to fully enjoy the festival."
Because the festival was held in an area dense with residences and shops, parking was extremely limited, making it difficult for visitors to find spaces. Noise from performances also led to constant complaints from nearby apartment residents.
A nearby apartment resident, Mr. Shin (39), said, "During last week’s coffee, jazz, and tango festival, speaker noise from performances persisted for three days at the same location. This time, the loudspeakers were so loud throughout the four-day festival that we couldn’t even open our windows, making daily life impossible. Residents near the festival site should not be forced to bear all the inconvenience."
He added, "If this is to be Chuncheon’s representative large-scale festival, I don’t understand why the old Camp Page site isn’t being used. For the revitalization of the old downtown, it would be better to relocate the festival next year."
Other complaints included the lack of water supply and drainage facilities despite the festival’s food theme, insufficient amenities such as restrooms, smoking areas, information signs, and shelters, as well as narrow walkways.

kees26@fnnews.com Kim Ki-seop Reporter