The ‘DMZ OPEN Concert’ hosted by Gyeonggi-do successfully concluded on the 6th at the Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri Outdoor Concert Hall, attended by over 12,000 spectators.
This concert was planned as a key program of the ‘2025 DMZ OPEN Festival’. Gyeonggi-do stated that the event was organized with the intention of conveying a message of peace through music in the symbolic space of division known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and to heal tension and pain.
The stage featured artists from various genres who received enthusiastic responses from the audience. Emotional ballad singer Sung Si-kyung, Jeon So-mi, Lee Young-ji, girl group Eunice, boy group ATURN, and Youth Peer showcased their unique performances.
In particular, the performance of rapper Lee Young-ji, known as the ‘MZ President’, and next-generation idol groups with a global fandom captured significant attention from young audiences.
In addition to the main stage, various interactive programs were operated at the concert hall. Spectators could reflect on the meaning of peace through experience activities such as making peace cheering sticks, peace pinwheel tattoos, and DMZ art photo zones. Special zone audiences were provided with moon glasses and paper table & chair sets to enhance the sense of immersion on site.
Kim Tae-hyun, Director of the Peace Cooperation Bureau of Gyeonggi-do, stated, “Today’s concert was a place to open minds with music and speak of peace through culture,” and added, “Gyeonggi-do will continue to create cultural festivals for peace along with residents centered around the DMZ.”
This concert is one of the main events of the 2025 DMZ OPEN Festival, which will continue until this autumn. The festival includes various programs such as exhibitions, an international music festival, forum, marathon, etc., and detailed schedules can be found on the official website.
Meanwhile, this day’s performance was at risk of cancellation due to a rain forecast, but proceeded as planned when the rain stopped just before the performance. Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon was initially scheduled to attend, but canceled his attendance due to a heavy rain advisory issued throughout Gyeonggi Province since the morning, and instead proceeded to inspect safety measures from the disaster management office.
Governor Kim instructed, “While monitoring the weather situation, quickly decide on whether to suspend the event on site, and when proceeding, thoroughly prevent safety accidents by deploying more firefighting personnel and resources than originally planned,” Gyeonggi-do reported.