Vacationers crowd Sokcho Beach in Gangwon amid hot weather on June 27.YONHAP
SOKCHO, Gangwon — Gangwon's beaches are opening for the summer with enhanced safety measures, extended nighttime operations and a broader lineup of attractions as local governments prepare to welcome millions of vacationers to the east coast.
Sokcho, Deungdae and Oeongchi beaches in Sokcho opened on Friday, kicking off their 52-day summer season that will run through Aug. 23. Cheongho Beach, which is newly opening this year, is also expected to open once preparations are complete.
Under this year’s slogan, "A beach that shines day and night,"the city aims to provide a safe swimming environment during the day while encouraging visitors to stay for cultural events and entertainment after sunset.
Authorities conducted a joint emergency response drill with relevant agencies on Thursday to review rescue procedures. Nets have been installed at all four beaches to prevent sharks, jellyfish and other potentially dangerous marine life from entering swimming areas.
Emergency medical centers will also be in operation throughout the season.
The city is also expanding its nighttime tourism offerings.
Sokcho Beach will remain open for swimming until 9 p.m. from July 21 through Aug. 12. During the extended evening hours, the beach will host the country's largest beachside media art installation.
Officials prepare Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon, on July 2 for its summer opening by moving parasols that will be rented to visitors during the beach season.YONHAP
The city will also hold a summer festival from July 31 to Aug. 2, followed by a silent DJ party, where music is played through wireless headphones instead of loudspeakers,from Aug. 3 to 5.
A total of 86 beaches will operate along the coast of Gangwon this summer, according to the provincial government.
Gangneung will officially begin its beach season Saturday with the opening of Gyeongpo Beach. An opening ceremony in Gyeongpo Central Plaza will feature a pledge taken by lifeguards and a drone rescue demonstration to highlight the city's commitment to safety.
Gyeongpo Beach will also feature a giant waterslide, a modular seawater pool and children's play facilities.
The city's remaining 17 beaches, including Gangmun, Jumunjin and Geumjin, will open in phases beginning July 10.
Jumunjin Beach will host a beer event combining camping, live music and beer.
Gangwon’s Donghae will open six beaches, including Mangsang and Chuam, on July 8, while Samcheok will open nine beaches, including Maengbang and Jangho, on the same day.
Goseong County, which operates the largest number of beaches in Gangwon, will manage 28 beaches this summer. Ayajin and Cheonjin beaches have already opened, while the remaining beaches will begin operating on July 10.
Vacationers crowd Sokcho Beach in Gangwon on June 27 to escape the summer heat.YONHAP
Yangyang County will open 20 beaches, including Naksan, Hajodae and Jukdo, on July 10, and Mulchi Beach will open a week later on July 17.
Safety has become the focus of this year's beach season following a string of shark bycatch incidents along the east coast that heightened public concern. Regional governments have installed nets to keep sharks and jellyfish away from swimming areas, while some beaches have also deployed shark-deterrent devices.
Authorities have also increased the number of lifeguards and rescue equipment at beaches and are conducting joint emergency response drills with relevant agencies in an effort to prevent accidents.
Officials are also stepping up efforts to crack down on recurring peak-season problems, including price gouging, abandoned tents and unauthorized structures.
The provincial government and local municipalities plan to operate a standardized pricing system while strengthening inspections of illegal facilities and public order enforcement.
An official inspects aquatic recreation facilities at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon, on July 2, ahead of the beach's opening for the summer season.YONHAP
Environmental inspections also confirmed that the beaches are ready for visitors. Water quality, beach sand and drinking water at nearby campgrounds all met official safety standards in tests conducted by the Gangwon Institute of Health and Environment.
Visitor numbers to Gangwon's beaches have continued to rise. The beaches attracted over 7.7 million visitors in 2024, followed by nearly 8.7 million last year, an increase of 11.3 percent from the year before.
"We have made thorough preparations so that everyone visiting Gangwon's beaches this summer can enjoy a safe and comfortable vacation," said Lee Dong-hee, the director of Gangwon’s Tourism Bureau. "We will do our best to make the east coast beaches a top summer destination that visitors will want to return to by offering both a safe environment and a wide range of attractions."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
