[Korea SNS Awards] Gangjin County Connects Through SNS with In-House Operation and Design Upgrades

What happened

Gangjin County won the Grand Prize (best award) at the '2026 Korea SNS Awards'. The county uses social media to share local tourism, culture, and county government news with residents and visitors. Civil servants (government workers) run the accounts directly instead of hiring outside companies. They plan and make the posts themselves, so they understand the policies and events well.

How the county changed its posts

Gangjin changed how its posts look. Its old card-news style put too much information on one screen, so it felt messy. Now each image focuses on one main title and uses simple text and pictures. This makes it easier to read on a phone. The county also uses its local character, 'Gangjin Friends,' which was based on animals that live in the Gangjin Bay ecological park. Characters such as Gangdal and Jindal share policy news and tourist tips.

Key facts

• The award is the 2026 Korea SNS Awards Grand Prize (best award).
• The county's character 'Gangjin Friends' includes Gangdal and Jindal.
• This year, the county held a character pop-up store and made many goods (merchandise).
• The county also registered intellectual property (IP) rights for the character.
• The 'Anyone Can Travel at Half Price' tourism policy is a main topic for posts.

Why it matters

Many local governments post online, but many posts are hard to read or feel stiff. Gangjin shows that a small team inside the government can make posts that are clear and fun. Turning a local character into real products and events also helps people feel connected to their town both online and in person.

What to watch

• Whether the pop-up stores and goods continue in future years.
• How the county uses the character's IP rights in new products.
• Whether the 'Anyone Can Travel at Half Price' program and local events draw more visitors.