Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

The tradition of yudeung, or floating lanterns, dates back to the Battle of Jinjuseong Fortress, one of the three major victories of the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592–1598). During the battle, lanterns were floated on the Namgang River as military signals to communicate with Righteous Army forces outside the fortress and as a means for families to exchange messages and check on one another. Jinju has carried on this tradition by organizing the Yudeung event as part of the Gaecheon Art Festival, first held in 1949 and regarded as Korea's first comprehensive regional arts festival. Since 2000, the festival has been held independently as the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival. Over the years, the floating lanterns have come to represent hopes for peace, love, happiness, and the fulfillment of wishes. Today, the festival has grown into an international event that brings people from around the world together to share the value of peace. Every fall, lanterns light up the Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress, creating a spectacular nighttime scene in Jinju, the “City of Light and Peace.” Along with creating a beautiful landscape, the lanterns invite reflection on the historical significance embedded in this long-standing tradition.