[One Day Ten Thousand Steps] Kim Dong-yeon Walking the DMZ: "I Will Become a Greater Peacemaker of Peace"

"The DMZ is a symbol of peace and ecology. Gyeonggi Province will play the role of a peacemaker for greater peace through the development and preservation of the DMZ."

On October 29 last year, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon made this statement at the ‘2022 DMZ Peace Walk’ held around Imjingak in Paju. The ‘DMZ Peace Walk,’ held since 2019, is Gyeonggi Province’s representative peace sports experience event. While walking with citizens, foreign diplomats in Korea, and various figures, Governor Kim said, "We will strive to make the DMZ, a global symbol of peace and ecology, the center of peace in Northeast Asia and the world in all aspects including economy, education, and culture, beyond just easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula." He also expressed his ambition, saying, "We will preserve and develop the beautiful DMZ, which has been naturally preserved for over 70 years, to address climate change and environmental issues and maximize the growth potential of the DMZ." This year holds even greater significance.

Hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, the 2023 ‘DMZ OPEN Festival’ will be held from the DMZ Peace Walk event on the 20th through November. On the 20th, the opening ceremony of the ‘DMZ OPEN Festival’ will take place at the Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri Park, followed by various events such as performances, exhibitions, academic conferences, and sports that highlight the ecological, peace, and historical values of the DMZ until November.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is writing a message wishing for peace at the '2022 DMZ Peace Walking Event' held around Imjingak, Paju, on October 29, 2022, with foreign envoys residing in Korea.
[Photo by Gyeonggi Province]

On the 20th at Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri Park, the DMZ Peace Walk, Peace Concert, and Peace Train will make their debut. The ‘DMZ Peace Walk’ allows participants to walk a 9 km ecological trail along the civilian control zone Imjin River, from the southern end of the Unification Bridge to Yulgok Wetland Park, while viewing a DMZ ecological photo exhibition. At Chopyeongdo, participants can enjoy various activities and experiences such as the Haeranggaraeng (Gayageum and Haegeum performance). About 1,300 participants, including Governor Kim Dong-yeon, foreign ambassadors stationed in Korea from countries that participated in the Korean War, U.S. Forces Korea, international students, and North Korean defectors, will join together. The ‘DMZ Peace Train,’ which delivers a peace message, will also start its first operation on the 20th, departing from Suwon Station at 9:08 a.m. and running to Dorasan Station. It will operate 13 times in total from Suwon Station to Dorasan Station on the first and third Saturdays of each month until October, with a round-trip fare of 5,000 KRW.

2023 DMZ Walking Course

The sports event under the slogan ‘DMZ, Walk’ will be followed by the DMZ Peace Walk in May and a wheelchair basketball tournament in August. On October 7, the DMZ Marathon, which allows running beyond the civilian control zone, will be held. Additionally, there will be performances and exhibitions under the slogan ‘DMZ, Feel’ and academic events under the slogan ‘DMZ, Think.’

Governor Kim previously commented on Asia Economy’s “One Day 10,000 Steps, One Thousand Characters a Day” campaign, saying, "We expect it to be an opportunity for residents to cultivate physical and mental health and create a healthy old age," and "Gyeonggi Province will also do its best to ensure that residents can maintain healthy habits in their daily lives and enjoy various opportunities to improve their health."