PAJU — A fall festival showcasing Paju Kaesong ginseng, one of South Korea's best-known six-year-old ginseng varieties, will open at Imjingak in Paju, bringing together local farming, tourism and culture.
The city of Paju said on the 12th that it will hold the 21st Paju Kaesong Ginseng Festival on Oct. 17-18 across the Imjingak tourist area. Now in its 21st year, the festival centers on Paju's signature six-year-old Kaesong ginseng and offers programs designed to engage residents and tourists through all five senses.
The festival opens on the morning of the 17th with the 17th Paju Jangdan Sambaek National Cooking Contest, in which leading chefs from across the country compete using Paju's three signature products — rice, soybeans and ginseng. The opening ceremony that follows will feature a special performance by the Paju mayor, the city council and the Paju Municipal Arts Company, along with the making of an oversized ginseng bibimbap and free tastings for visitors.
The afternoon program on the first day features performances by teenagers and young adults. A new evening program this year, Moonlight Theater, will screen the film "Match" and serve free refreshments.
On the 18th, the Paju Ginseng Marathon, a symbol of health and vitality, will draw about 1,000 residents and running enthusiasts to courses around Imjingak. A circus performance and a ginseng auction offering discounted prices are also scheduled.
Singers So Chan-whee and Min Soo-hyun will headline the closing concert.
For families, the city will operate touring cars inside the venue and open the Imjingak outdoor auxiliary parking lot and the Peace parking lot free of charge. Free shuttle buses will run frequently between Munsan Station and the venue for visitors using public transportation.