In September 1, 2001, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do declared to become the 'county of photography'. For 20 days from July 29, 2002, 'Donggang River Photography Festival 2002', the biggest Photography Festival of the nation, was held. The Photography Festival sponsored by Yeongwol-gun and supervised by Donggang River Photography maeul Operation Committee, was the first step to become an international Photography Festival.

This Photography Festival was invested 3 hundred and twenty million won. It's opening ceremony was held in Cultural Art Center of Yeongwol-gun in August 1. Until August 17, various events including exhibition of eminent photographers of nation were held.

On the day of opening photographers of in and out of the nation who showed the best work in the previous year were rewarded . Also, 50 eminent photographers of the nation exhibited about 7 pieces of their works each in . It showed the state of present photography of Korea. More than 3 pieces of their great work were dominated to the collection of Donggang River Photography. It was the first collection in the public photography museum. These pieces donated by photographers are preserved in the perfect condition in Donggang River Photography Center. It will be exhibited permanently here, and it will also be exhibited in international photography collections to measure the state of Korean photography.

- Details about <<Donggang River Photography Festival>>
"Donggang River Photography Festival" with 60 young Korean photographers of their 20s and 30s.
"Donggang River Photography Award" awarding a photographer who showed the greatest work of photography in and out of the nation
"Photography Festival by Celebrities of Gangwon" with celebrities of all fields who represents the people of Gangwon
"Photography Workshop" by famous lecturers from in and out of the nation
"Donggang River Photography Exhibition" showing the nature of Donggang River in photographs
"Portfolio Review", "Photographic Journal", "Experience in Photographic World" to identify the future of Korean photography and to raise next generation photographers