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Mascots of local governments, public bodies, schools and festivals70 stories

Pouri, Byeolsan, Parangi and Gatpyeongi Film Hometown Love Donation Short Video

Pocheon, Yangju, Paju and Gapyeong have teamed up to encourage year-end donations. The video will be released on each city's and county's social media channels.

Nov 12, 2026

Feature

Gangwon Mascots at a Glance, From Potato Ongsimi to Sisittakttaki

School characters make up the largest group. Wonju runs separate characters for the environment, quitting smoking and suicide prevention.

Nov 12, 2026

Red Cross Mascot Nanumi and Gyeongnam's Byeori Win Grand Prizes at 2026 Character Awards

Nanumi won in the public representative character category. Byeori won the local government communication and promotion category for the second year in a row.

Nov 12, 2026

Gyeongsangnam-do Wins Top Prize at Public Character Festival Awards

Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government won the top prize in the government and local government category. Sejong National Arboretum's Roki, Korea National Railway's Railo and the Hanbang Family also won awards.

Archive · Oct 17, 2026

Nonsan Strawberry Festival Characters Win Top Prize at Public Character Festival

The Nonsan Strawberry Festival characters won the top prize in the festival category. The Korea Employment Information Service's Yongyongi and Ppiyagi won the popularity award in the public category.

Archive · Oct 16, 2026

Gangneung's Haseullang Draws More Than 1,000 Visitors to Bread Festival Booth

More than 1,000 people visited Haseullang's promotional booth on the opening day of the Gangneung Bread Festival. The mascot also ran a giant doll photo zone at the noodle festival.

Archive · Oct 10, 2026

Feature

Mascots Take the Stage at Fall 2026 Festivals and Events

Ssiagi of Eumseong, BBOGI of Daegu and Hamo of Jinju were among the mascots out in force at fall festivals. Others appeared at a film festival and a content fair.

Archive · Sep 28, 2026

Yangyang Pine Mushroom and Salmon Festival Unveils Four Official Characters

Songsongi and Solhalbae represent the world of the mountain, while Yeondongi and Daecheon Eommeom represent the world of the river. The festival's programs also follow the characters' story.

Archive · Sep 15, 2026

Revived Goyang Goyangi Reunites With Pengsoo After Seven Years

The Goyang mascot, shelved after its 2023 replacement, returned in July. It filmed a short-form dance challenge video with Pengsoo to promote the city brand.

Archive · Aug 29, 2026

Feature

Public Agency Characters Reach the Finals of the 2026 Public Character Festival

Public agency characters made up 42 of the 74 finalists. Pai Chai University's Naseomi received 5,160 votes.

Archive · Aug 2026

KOICA's PeKO Friends Reach Public Character Festival Finals for Second Straight Year

The five characters represent KOICA's five core values, the 5Ps. They have appeared as emoticons, at pop-up stores and in overseas official development assistance promotions.

Archive · Jul 27, 2026

2026 Public Character Festival Opens Public Vote for Finals

The public vote runs from July 20 to Aug. 21. The Seoul Volunteer Center's Hana, Maum and Woori lead with 7,706 votes.

Archive · Jul 20, 2026

Incheon's New Geomdan and Yeongjong Districts Put Mascots Front and Center

Geomdan District is bringing its mascots Geomi and Danbi to its events. Yeongjong District introduced its new mascot Yeonggeuli at its first festival.

Archive · Jul 14, 2026

Busan Transportation Corporation Unveils New Mascots Booray and Tavio, First in 15 Years

The two characters, a seagull train and a paper ticket, were chosen in a vote weighted 60% to citizens and 40% to employees.

Archive · Jul 1, 2026

Korea Institute of Toxicology Unveils Mascot DOKA on YouTube

DOKA is a chameleon researcher whose body changes color according to toxicity risk. The character also reached the finals of a public character festival.

Archive · Jun 16, 2026

Korea Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission Picks Media Guardians as Mascots

Miring, Bangtol and Tongdi, the top entry in a public contest, work as one team. The commission has also released digital goods every month.

Archive · Apr 17, 2026

Damyang County Finalizes New Tourism Mascots Damnagwi, Daejjogi and Meti

The county gathered opinions from about 2,000 residents and tourists and 40 experts. The new characters will be officially unveiled at the Damyang Bamboo Festival.

Archive · Apr 8, 2026

Brief

Dobong District Launches Official Instagram for Eunbongi and Hakbongi

The first post went up on April 1, 2026. The district posts webtoons and reels every Wednesday and is considering selling merchandise.

Archive · Apr 1, 2026

Chuncheon Tourism Characters Bomnae Crew Hold First Pop-Up in City Hall Lobby

Six characters, including ones modeled on dakgalbi and makguksu, appeared at their first pop-up store. The event continued as a pop-up touring local tourist sites.

Archive · Mar 20, 2026

Brief

National Gaya History and Culture Center Opens Public Contest for Signature Character

The center, run by the Korea Heritage Service, opened in September 2024. One year and five months later, it is looking for a character to be its face.

Archive · Feb 20, 2026