(Gongju=Yonhap News) Reporter Yang Young-seok = Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province, one of the major production areas for chestnuts in South Korea, will host the '9th Winter Gongju Chestnut Festival' from 4th to 8th at Geumgangsin-Gwan Public Park. Visitors to the festival can roast and eat chestnuts directly over a large fire, and experience various programs centered around Gongju chestnuts. There will also be a direct trading market where you can purchase high-quality chestnuts and various processed foods prepared by local chestnut-producing farms and processing companies. Producing approximately 17% (6,530 tons) of the nation's total chestnuts, Gongju is recognized as one of the leading chestnut production areas in the country. To establish Gongju as a mecca for the chestnut industry, the '2026 South Korea Chestnut Industry Expo' will also be held during the festival. Thirty-eight companies from across the nation will participate, displaying chestnut-related products and exploring the vision and development direction of the chestnut industry. During the expo, events such as a chestnut bread and rice cake-making competition will take place, along with a purchasing consultation session for domestic and international buyers. The event site will feature various themed exhibition halls, including a national hall with participation from local governments and institutions involved in chestnut production, a corporate hall showcasing companies leading the chestnut industry, and an international hall where you can experience the trends and products of the overseas chestnut industry. In relation to this, South Chungcheong Province plans to host the International Chestnut Industry Expo in 2028 in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, which are major chestnut production areas within the province. Mayor Choi Won-cheol said, "The chestnut festival and the chestnut industry expo are representative winter festivals where you can enjoy the charm of Gongju chestnuts with all five senses," and "I hope that this winter, families, couples, and pets create the warmest and sweetest memories in Gongju." youngs@yna.co.kr