The Battle of Hansando, led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, will be reenacted on the waters off Tongyeong.
The Tongyeong Hansan Victory Cultural Foundation will hold the 65th Tongyeong Hansan Victory Festival across the region for five days through the 16th.
The Tongyeong Hansan Victory Festival is an event to commemorate the Battle of Hansando, in which the Joseon navy led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin decisively defeated Japanese forces off Hansando during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. The Battle of Hansando is counted among the three great victories of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, along with the Battle of Jinju and the Battle of Haengju.
This year's festival theme is "the general's sea, tears of the war diary." The festival will open with a traditional rite at Tongyeong Chungnyeolsa at 3:30 p.m. that day. On the same day, the Samdosugun Tongjeyeong and aboard a panokseon will host the Samdosugun commander's procession and military roll call, followed by a Black Eagles air show at Tongyeong Hansan Victory Square.
Also on opening day, from 7:30 p.m., a special performance will take place at Tongyeong Hansan Victory Square, and a percussion performance (Jamstick) is scheduled at the maritime stage. Starting at 9:50 p.m., a fireworks show celebrating the festival's opening will light up Tongyeong's night sea.
The Highlight performance of the festival, the Hansan naval battle reenactment, will be held on the 14th. The day will begin with a departure ceremony at Dangpo Port at 10 a.m., followed by the Hansan naval battle reenactment at Yi Sun-sin Park at 5 p.m. About 100 vessels, including Tongyeong Coast Guard patrol ships, administrative vessels and fishing boats, will be mobilized for the event. From 7:30 p.m., the maritime stage will host a welcome ceremony for the arrival of the turtle ship, signaling victory in the Battle of Hansando.
The Joseon navy rowing competition, where participants can experience the efforts of the Joseon fleet led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, will be held on the mornings of the 12th and 13th at Jukrim Bay (Naejukdo Park), divided into student and general divisions. In addition, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day during the event, anyone can take part around the Gangguan area (Joseon Navy Experience Yard).
On Saturday, starting at 7:30 p.m., Tongyeong Hansan Victory Square will host a concert and the 2026 Tonight Tongyeong Fireworks Show in succession. The fireworks show will be the largest in South Gyeongsang, using four barges.
Various family-participation experience programs will also run daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. At the Gangguan area (Hansan Victory Playground), there will be water-play experiences to beat the heat, and in the maritime city of Tongyeong, a program where visitors can pilot RC yachts themselves will be offered.
Before the festival, at a briefing on preparations, Tongyeong Mayor Kang Seok-ju said, "We will do our utmost to make the Tongyeong Hansan Victory Festival a celebration enjoyed by citizens and tourists alike, befitting its reputation as an honorary cultural tourism festival," adding, "We will ensure there is not a single safety accident."