Following the AIPH approval during the 76th Annual Congress in Warsaw, Poland, last September, preparations for two International Horticultural Expos in the Republic of Korea are in full swing.
Korea’s success in hosting internationally recognised Expos has earned widespread acclaim and driven national efforts to promote the gardening industry. The Korean government’s investment in these national garden Expos, aimed at enhancing quality of life, has played a key role in this achievement.
At the September Congress in Poland, Ulsan was officially chosen as the host city for the 2028 International Garden Expo, classified as a Category B International Green Expo, while Taean in Chungchungnamdo Province was selected to host the 2026 Taean International Horticultural-Healing Expo, a Category C Expo. These milestones further cement Korea’s leadership in the global gardening community.
Ulsan’s Promotional Campaign for the 2028 Expo
Immediately after the congress, Ulsan held a celebration to mark the success of securing the Expo. The event, held on Wednesday, 11 September, at the Ulsan Cultural and Arts Center, was organised to celebrate the successful approval bid for the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo.
Guests included Im Sang-Seop, Director of the Korea Forest Service, and Tomasz Konieczko, President of the International Canoe Federation, alongside volunteers and civic groups who played key roles in securing the bid.
Ulsan has launched a wide-ranging promotional campaign in preparation for the Expo, including banners on government buildings, video advertisements on major media outlets, and large promotional towers along the city’s streets.
Meanwhile, Ulsan is gearing up to participate in the “2024 Taehwagang National Garden Autumn Festival,” which will take place from Friday, 25 to Sunday, 27 October, to promote the Expo under the theme “New Ulsan, Adding Gardens,” reinforcing their dedication to garden culture and future events.
Taean’s Celebration and Ambitions for the 2026 Expo.
On Tuesday, 22 October, Taean County and Chungchungnamdo Province also held a celebratory event attended by over 600 people, including Governor Kim Tae-heum, Taean County Governor Ga Se-ro, and various local representatives.
Governor Kim declared, “Building on our success with two previous international flower Expos, we aim to make this one a world-class event. We plan to develop Taean into a global leisure, recreation, and wellness hub, cementing its place as a central pillar in the international marine leisure tourism belt.”
Taean County Governor Ga Se-ro echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the 2026 Taean International Horticultural-Healing Expo will be the world’s first to combine horticulture and wellness, positioning Taean as a leader in this emerging field.”
The 2026 Taean International Horticultural-Healing Expo will take place from 25 April to 24 May 2026 under the theme “A Healthy Future Found in Nature: Horticulture & Healing.” Chungchungnamdo Province and Taean County co-host the event, which is expected to attract 1.82 million visitors from 40 countries.
