Ground Forces Festival
ποΈ 2026.10.01 ~ 2026.10.05
The 2026 Ground Forces Festival is the Republic of Korea’s largest military culture festival, hosted by the Army. It is a non-profit event for public interest, aimed at promoting the Army’s development and future policies to the public, increasing trust in the military, and spreading positive values. It will be held for five days from Thursday, October 1st to Monday, October 5th at the Gyeryongdae runway in Chungnam. In the 22nd edition of the festival this year, under the theme “Republic of Korea Army Protecting the Daily Lives of the People,” there will be exhibitions and boarding experiences of the latest Korea-US combat equipment, and demonstrations of Army TIGER+ and drone-bots. Visitors can directly verify AI and advanced science and technology-based combat systems and the various changing aspects of the Army through demonstrations, exhibitions, and experiences at the Army Policy Promotion Hall. Additionally, a variety of high-quality military cultural performances such as military band and honor guard performances, Taekwondo demonstrations, military police MC mobile demonstrations, Army performance team acts, and road parades can be encountered.
The festival is structured around four program groups, covering everything from large-scale demonstrations to family-friendly activities. The program is free, and the five-day schedule gives visitors time to explore both the combat systems and the cultural side of the event.
Main Programs
- Opening ceremony
- Army Policy Promotion Hall (AI-based systems, intelligent smart units, etc.)
- Mechanized unit Army TIGER+ and drone unit demonstrations
- Korea-US combat equipment exhibition
- Road parade, etc.
Side Programs
- Korea-US drone competition
- Gyeryongdae tour
- 6.25 War Medal of Honor search
- Mobile medical examination vehicles
- Ground Forces stamp tour, etc.
Consumer Participation Programs
- Combat equipment boarding experience
- Military motorcycle boarding experience
- Hyungung simulated firing
- A photo with the “Special Army”
- KCTC MILES experience
- Survival experience
- Family photo shoot, etc.
Other Contents
- K-Defense Kookbang Ilbo photo contest
- Army symbol henna
- Gyeryong-i shuttle train
- Air bounce
- Pull-up king selection, etc.
Visitor Information
π Address: Seokgye-ri, Sindoan-myeon, Gyeryong-si, Chungcheongnam-do
ποΈ Accommodations near the event
π° Fee: Free
π Inquiry: 042-550-5310~2
βοΈ Instagram
π₯οΈ Website
What is Gyeryong?
Gyeryong (κ³λ£‘) is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Its name comes from Gyeryongsan, or Chicken Dragon Mountain, but the city is better known as the country’s military capital. Since the 1990s, it has hosted the consolidated headquarters of the Republic of Korea Army, Navy, and Air Force, making it the only city in South Korea where all three branches command from one location.
The military presence shapes the city in practical ways. Barracks, command centers, and training ranges sit alongside residential areas and forested hills. The equipment used by troops stationed here is the same hardware displayed at the Ground Forces Festival, which takes place in the city each year. This gives visitors a direct look at the routines and tools of the armed forces in a working garrison, rather than a staged exhibition. The festival is not a separate attraction grafted onto the city; it grows out of the activity that already defines daily life there.
