Gimcheon hosts Korea's largest tuning car festival as custom vehicle market grows

The 2026 Korea Tuning Car Festival commenced on Friday, spanning two days at Gimcheon Sports Town in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This marks the fifth year of the event, which proudly claims the title of Korea's largest gathering of car tuning enthusiasts. Car tuning, a practice entailing modifications to improve vehicle performance or alter its appearance, is the central theme of this celebration.

Organized jointly by the transport ministry, North Gyeongsang Province, Gimcheon city, and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the festival endeavors to shed light on the intricacies of vehicle customization and encourage broader public participation. Last year's edition, held in Gimcheon, attracted approximately 30,000 visitors. In a bid to enhance accessibility, this year's event has been relocated to a centralized downtown location.

Key industry players will exhibit custom-built camper vans and high-performance vehicles, allowing attendees to closely examine the interiors of these modified cars. The festival arrives at a time when the custom vehicle market in Korea is experiencing significant growth.