함양군, Wellness Tourism, and the 6·3 Local Election
On May 21, 2026, Hamyang-gun in Gyeongnam won the "K-Wellness Brand Award" in the medical, oriental medicine, and anti-aging categories for the third consecutive year at the Seoul aT Center. Meanwhile, as the June 3rd nationwide local elections approach, 712 candidates in Gyeongnam have begun their official campaigns, bringing local tourism and cultural policies into the spotlight.
Key Findings
Hamyang-gun Wins Third Consecutive K-Wellness Brand Award
On May 21, 2026, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, received the "K-Wellness Brand Award" at the "2026 K-Wellness Food & Tourism Fair" held at the Seoul aT Center. This marks the third year in a row that Hamyang-gun has been recognized in the medical, oriental medicine, and anti-aging categories.

The 6·3 Local Election and Gyeongnam’s Policy Pledges
As of May 21—the first day of the official campaign period for the June 3 nationwide local elections—712 candidates across Gyeongnam have taken to the streets to kick off their campaigns.

Additionally, civil society organizations in Gyeongnam are hosting "blind debates" for candidates running for governor, superintendent of education, and mayor of Changwon, aiming to foster an election culture focused on policies and pledges rather than just personal profiles.

The Gyeongnam Election Broadcasting Debate Commission is set to air a series of televised debates from May 22 to May 28, featuring candidates for governor, superintendent, local mayors, and proportional representation provincial council members, all broadcast live on terrestrial television.

Details
Hamyang-gun’s K-Wellness Tourism Brand Power
The "2026 K-Wellness Food & Tourism Fair," which opened on May 21 at the Seoul aT Center, honored Hamyang-gun for the third year running. The county's success is largely attributed to its continuous development of wellness tourism content, such as oriental medicine healing and anti-aging programs, which leverage the pristine natural environment near Jirisan Mountain.
Connection Between Local Elections and Wellness/Tourism Policy
With 712 candidates officially campaigning ahead of the June 3 local elections, regional culture, tourism, and wellness policies have become major talking points. A collaborative project by Gyeongnam Ilbo and the Gyeongnam Election Commission, titled "10 Major Pledges at a Glance with Big Data," is helping voters compare the policies of candidates for governor, superintendent, and mayor of Changwon.

Sources
[경남선관위-경남일보 공동기획]빅데이터로 10대 공약 한눈에 본다 < 제9회 전국동시지방선거 < 정치 < 기사본문 - 경남일보
경남서도 공식 선거운동 돌입…후보 712명 일제히 거리로 | 연합뉴스
“내란 심판” “독주 제동”…6·3 공식 선거운동 돌입 | 서울신문
경남시민단체, 후보 가린
“정책으로 승부”…경남 지방선거 후보자 TV 토론회 집중 편성 | 서울신문
민주 경남도당
[함양 24시] 함양군, K-웰니스 브랜드 대상 ‘3년 연속’ 수상 < 영남 < 네트워크 < 기사본문 - 시사저널
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