Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it held the “19th Together Day Ceremony” on May 17 at Incheon Aetteul Plaza.

Celebrated annually on May 20, Together Day is a legally designated commemorative day established under the Framework Act on the Treatment of Foreigners Residing in the Republic of Korea to promote understanding of and respect for different cultures and traditions and to foster a society where Korean nationals and foreign residents live together in harmony. Marking its 19th anniversary this year, the event was organized as a venue for harmony and interaction where foreign residents and citizens could come together.

Approximately 1,200 foreign residents and citizens attended the event, alongside officials including Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Ha Byeong-pil, Commissioner Park Jae-wan of the Incheon Immigration and Foreigners Office, Head of Global Citizenship Education Kim Woo-jong at the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, and representatives of foreign resident organizations.

Held prior to the official ceremony were pre-event performances featuring a traditional Nepalese dance and the Incheon Global Choir. On the other hand, during the commemorative ceremony, recommendations were presented to individuals who contributed to helping foreign residents settle in local communities and advancing social integration. The ceremony was followed by a congratulatory performance by the Uiseon Chinese Traditional Performance Group, adding a layer of significance to the event.

A total of 16 experiential and promotional booths were also operated at the venue, allowing participants to experience cultures from around the world. Participants had the opportunity to experience directly traditional and everyday cultures from various countries while enjoying international foods and traditional games, naturally engaging with diverse cultures.

The Together Day Drawing Contest was also held as an accompanying event, encouraging children to express their perceptions of foreigners and multiculturalism through art. Participating children created drawings under themes such as “Incheon Where Differences Come Together as One” and “Our Stories with Friends Around the World,” expressing their sense of global citizenship. Winners will be announced in June following the judging process.

“Together Day is a meaningful occasion for understanding and respecting different cultures and traditions. We will continue working to develop Incheon into a city of inclusion and coexistence where foreign residents and citizens can live together in harmony,” said Ha Byeong-pil, Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs.