Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival traces its origins back over 400 years to the Imjin War, specifically the Siege of Jinju in 1592. During this critical battle, Korean defenders at Jinjuseong Fortress floated oil lanterns (yudeung) on the Namgang River as a strategic measure to prevent Japanese forces from crossing the water. These lanterns also served as a means of communication-sending military signals and messages to families outside the fortress, and honoring those who lost their lives in the conflict. The light of the lanterns became not only a military tool but also a symbol of prayer and comfort for families and the local community.

After the war, the tradition of floating lanterns continued as a way for Jinju’s citizens to remember the sacrifices of the past, pray for peace, and connect the community through shared memory and hope. Over the centuries, the practice evolved from a wartime necessity into a cherished local custom, and eventually into a large-scale public festival. Today, the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is not only a commemoration of the city’s resilience and history but also a vibrant celebration that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. The festival honors ancestors, strengthens local bonds, and invites visitors to experience the living tradition and collective warmth of Jinju.

Since being officially named in 2000, the festival has grown into one of Korea’s premier cultural events, attracting over a million visitors annually and even inspiring similar lantern festivals worldwide. The illuminated Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress serve as powerful symbols of remembrance, unity, and the enduring light of hope in Korean culture.

“Walking along the river at night, surrounded by lanterns and music, felt like stepping into a dream. I wrote a wish for my family and watched my lantern float away, glowing in the darkness. The beauty of the lanterns, the fireworks over the river, and the festival food were all amazing-I took so many photos.”

• The festival commemorates the 1592 Battle of Jinju, when lanterns were used for communication and remembrance.
• Anyone can make and launch their own lantern, making it a participatory event.
• Jinju Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage candidate and serves as a dramatic backdrop for the festival.

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is held every October along the Namgang River and around Jinju Fortress in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. For the most magical experience, release a wish lantern by the riverside at night and let yourself be swept away by the river of light.