Ulsan Industrial Festival Draws 720,000 Visitors in Success, Cementing 'Ulsan as the AI Capital'

The '2025 Ulsan Industrial Festival,' which energized the entire city for four days, concluded successfully with more than 720,000 citizens participating despite inclement weather.
According to Ulsan Metropolitan City on the 20th, this year's festival focused on highlighting the city's past (industry), present (manufacturing), and future (AI). The event aimed to share the identity of 'Ulsan, the AI Capital and Industrial Capital' with its citizens.
The festival took place across Ulsan Metropolitan City, including Taehwagang National Garden, outdoor performance venues, Gangdong Pebble Beach, Gangdong Central Park, Ulsan Museum, and Jongha Innovation Center.
A total of 22 affiliated events and 182 exhibition, experience, and participation zones offered a wide variety of attractions and activities.
The highlight of the festival, the street parade, began with a kick-off ceremony at Gongeoptap Rotary, the symbol of the industrial city, at 2 p.m. on the first day, the 16th. It continued for 1.6 kilometers from Daldong Intersection to Sinjeong Market Intersection, lasting 120 minutes.
The kick-off ceremony was attended by Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Kim Chul, Chair of the Industrial Festival Promotion Committee, Lee Seong-ryong, Chair of the Ulsan Metropolitan Council, as well as representatives from leading local companies, labor, and commerce sectors. Seventeen participants unveiled the 'Strongest! Ulsan' slogan, symbolizing unity and progress for the city, its citizens, businesses, and workers.


Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, read the 'Strongest! Ulsan Declaration,' which outlined the city's industrial development history and future vision as the AI capital.
The parade, themed 'Four Major Industries & the People of Ulsan,' featured Hyundai Motor Company, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, SK Group, S-Oil, Korea Zinc, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and five districts and counties. Notably, districts and companies paired up to represent the co-growth of industry and the region.
A total of 11 parade vehicles, 938 participants, and a 1km-long procession filled the streets, drawing enthusiastic cheers from citizens.

The opening ceremony was held at Hwagang National Garden under the theme 'Strongest! Ulsan.' The event featured congratulatory performances, a drone light show, prize drawings, and a fireworks display, heightening the festive atmosphere.
Notably, delegations from 13 cities across eight countries—including Japan, Czechia, Uzbekistan, and Myanmar—attended, further elevating the festival's status as a leading regional event in Korea.
Throughout the festival, a variety of programs held across Ulsan Metropolitan City attracted many citizens.
Meanwhile, the Ulsan Fireworks Festival, originally scheduled for the afternoon of the 19th at Gangdong Pebble Beach, was unavoidably postponed to the 24th at the same location due to adverse weather conditions off the coast of Ulsan.
Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, expressed his deep gratitude for the enthusiastic support from citizens despite the inclement weather. He stated, 'Through the continued hosting of festivals, we will not only revitalize the local economy but also enhance the festival's competitiveness, developing it into a representative event for all of Korea.'

ulsan@fnnews.com Choi Soo-sang Reporter