DANGJIN, South Korea — Despite braving rain, snow, and sleet, more than 35 U.S. Soldiers from Camp Humphreys joined local residents and international guests at the annual Gijisi Tug-of-War Festival, April 13.
The festival in Dangjin, about 30 miles south of Camp Humphreys, is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event with a rich history spanning centuries.
“Today, as we pulled the extremely heavy rope together, it truly symbolized the strength and unity of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance,” said Dangjin City Mayor O Sung-hwan. “I sincerely hope that Camp Humphreys and the Dangjin City will continue to build lasting connections through regular exchanges and cultural engagement, fostering deeper friendship and mutual understanding.”
The day began with a tour of the Gijisi Museum, where U.S. Soldiers learned about the festival’s rich history. After a communal lunch hosted by Dangjin, participants took to the streets for the iconic rope-hauling ritual.
U.S. Soldiers, locals, and international attendees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and other nations joined hundreds of participants in dragging two multi-ton ropes toward the summit of a nearby hilltop. Pull by pull, they worked together, encouraging one another to keep going.
“When I initially signed up, I just thought this was going to be a competition,” said U.S. Army Pvt. Karneala Lares, a petroleum supply specialist with Echo Troop, 517th Air Cavalry Squadron. “I didn’t expect to be lugging a big rope through the streets. It’s a great way to get integrated with the community and the teamwork between us and the Koreans.”
Upon reaching the summit, the ropes were ceremonially linked by a large pin. Historically, the Gijisi Tug-of-War represented a symbolic contest between highland and lowland villages — with a victory for the upper village believed to bring peace and a win for the lower village promising a bountiful harvest. These traditions highlight the festival’s agricultural and communal roots, while today it has evolved into a celebration of unity and cooperation.
The event concluded with one final tug-of-war match at the summit, cheered on by the crowd. The Republic of Korea Air Force’s Aerobatic Team Black Eagles performed a flyover, marking a dramatic close to the festivities.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming out here,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jerry Smith, an aircraft powerplant repair specialist with Delta Troop, 517th Air Cavalry Squadron. “It symbolizes the U.S. Army and our Korean counterparts coming together, getting it up that big hill, just doing it together.”
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2025 01:21 |
| Story ID: | 495732 |
| Location: | DANGJIN-GUN, CHUNGCHEONGNAMDO [CH'UNGCH'ONGNAM-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Tug-of-War Further Ties Two Nations, by Jeff Nagan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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