Some 250 overseas Honam natives return home for 2026 hometown visit event
In short
About 250 people of Honam origin living abroad took part in the 2026 World Honam Native Association hometown visit event, held across the Gwangju and Jeonbuk area from Oct. 2 to 4, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City said. Participants toured sites including Gwanghalluwon in Namwon, the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and the Gwangju Biennale. At a World Honam People’s Day ceremony, 10 members received commendation plaques and the association federation donated 42 million won in scholarships.
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About 250 people of Honam origin living overseas returned to their home region for the 2026 World Honam Native Association hometown visit event, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City said in its account carried by Yonhap. The city said the event was held from Oct. 2 to 4 together with the World Honam Native Association Federation and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. Participants came from countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, China and Australia, according to the city. [ 2 ]
The visitors toured Gwanghalluwon in Namwon, the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, the Gwangju Biennale, the Yeosu World Island Expo site and the Namdo Uibyeong History Museum, experiencing the region’s history and culture, the city said. [ 2 ]
At a World Honam People’s Day ceremony held in Gwangju’s Seo-gu district, commendation plaques were given to 10 members for their contributions to their communities and to the association, the city said. The World Honam Native Association Federation also donated 42 million won in scholarships for local students, it said. [ 2 ]
Min Hyeong-bae, mayor of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, said the visiting natives had practiced integration in their lives under the name of Honam people and worked for their hometown’s development and for younger generations. “I will continue to stand in solidarity with Honam people around the world,” he said. [ 2 ]
Newsis and the Seoul Shinmun also reported the homecoming, both putting the number of returning Honam natives at about 250. Newsis framed it as a visit that strengthened harmony and friendship, while the Seoul Shinmun framed it as an opportunity to experience the region’s history and culture. The two reports were published on Oct. 5 at 10:19 and 11:03 local time respectively, after Yonhap’s report at 10:53. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The event is a local government push to keep ties with overseas residents of Honam origin and to draw them into regional development and student support, as described by the city and the participating outlets. Its reach is largely domestic and community-level, with the announced outcomes limited to a ceremony, awards and a scholarship donation.
Key facts
- About 250 people of Honam origin from overseas joined the 2026 World Honam Native Association hometown visit event. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The event ran from Oct. 2 to 4 and was held by the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City with the World Honam Native Association Federation and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. [ 2 ]
- Participants came from countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, China and Australia. [ 2 ]
- The group visited Gwanghalluwon in Namwon, the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, the Gwangju Biennale, the Yeosu World Island Expo site and the Namdo Uibyeong History Museum. [ 2 ]
- At the World Honam People’s Day ceremony in Gwangju’s Seo-gu district, 10 members received commendation plaques for contributions to their communities and the association. [ 2 ]
- The World Honam Native Association Federation donated 42 million won in scholarships for local students. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- About 250 people of Honam origin living overseas took part in the hometown visit event. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The event was held over three days, from Oct. 2 to 4, and organised by the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, the World Honam Native Association Federation and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. [ 2 ]
Still unclear
- The exact number of participants The documents describe the figure only as “about 250 people”, so a precise count is not given.
- Details in one Newsis report The body text of the Newsis document concerned a DMZ landmine incident rather than the hometown visit named in its headline, so its article text could not be used for this event.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis publishes its report that about 250 overseas Honam natives returned home and strengthened unity and friendship. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City’s account of the Oct. 2-4 hometown visit event. [ 2 ]
- The Seoul Shinmun publishes its report on the roughly 250 overseas Honam natives returning home to experience history and culture. [ 3 ]