[Harumanbo Harucheonja] Walking 524km in 12 Nights and 13 Days... DMZ Grand March

The ‘DMZ Peace Trail’ is a walking travel route spanning a total of 524 km across 10 border cities and counties (Ganghwa, Goyang, Gimpo, Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, Goseong) from Ganghwa County in Incheon to Goseong County in Gangwon. Eleven routes were opened last April, and the official opening is scheduled for this September.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the armistice, the government has organized the ‘DMZ Freedom and Peace March’ event to reflect on the value of ‘freedom-based peace’ that was defended during the Korean War and to revitalize the economy of border areas struggling with population decline. Government ministries participating include the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, while local governments such as Incheon City, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangwon Province are also involved.

The first march will be held twice from July 3 to August 5, and the second march will be held eight times from September to November. The first march is a 12-night, 13-day event targeting university students and young adults. The first session (July 3?15) has closed recruitment, and the second session (July 24?August 5) is accepting 70 participants until July 10. The itinerary starts at the Goseong Unification Observatory and ends at the Ganghwa Peace Observatory. Eligibility includes domestic residents aged 35 or younger, children of veterans, and students from Korean War participant countries studying in Korea.

Foreign university students from the countries that participated in the Korean War taking part in the DMZ Grand March [Photo by Ministry of Unification]

The DMZ Freedom and Peace March is not just a simple walking tour but an event where participants walk about 20 km daily along the DMZ border area. Accommodations range from double rooms to multi-person rooms, adjusted according to local conditions. Meals are provided in various forms, including local restaurants, forest meals brought by local residents, combat rations, and rice balls. Due to the nature of the border area, photography is restricted. Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited throughout the event, and violators will be sent home immediately. The participation fee (100,000 KRW) paid by participants is fully reinvested in the local economy through local specialties and souvenirs.

The second march, scheduled from September to November, will be a 6-night, 7-day event for the general public, involving walking the DMZ Peace Trail and exploring local ecological and security tourist sites. This second event will be held eight times with a total of 560 participants and will coincide with the official opening ceremony of the DMZ Peace Trail.

The government plans to expand this event into an annual tradition to continue commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice and promoting national unity. In particular, there is a vision to develop the newly established DMZ Peace Trail into a world-class walking destination comparable to the Santiago Pilgrimage Route.