'Barefoot Walking Craze' Gwangju Dong-gu Also Enacts Ordinance to Support Convenience for 'Maenbareo'

Kim Jaesik, Chairman of Dong-gu Council, Proposes 'Barefoot Walking Promotion and Support Ordinance'

Assessment of Current Walking Path Conditions... Plans to Install Facilities and Promote Connectivity

'Do shoes ruin my body?' The whole country is experiencing a barefoot walking craze.

It is known that walking barefoot on dirt paths and loess paths helps treat various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. A quick search reveals numerous praises like "Feeling nature with my whole body made me feel 10 years younger."

In line with this trend, local governments in Gwangju are also enacting ordinances to expand walking trails. Since the legislative intent is to promote barefoot walking in daily life, reflecting residents' opinions in project implementation is crucial.

On the morning of the 8th, hikers are resting at a pavilion set up on the barefoot trail along the cypress forest path in Dongjeokgol, at the foot of Mudeungsan National Park in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
[Photo by Jin-Hyung Park]

On the morning of the 8th, at the barefoot walking trail in the cypress forest of Dongjeokgol at the foot of Mudeungsan National Park in Gwangju, there is a 400m stretch covered with sand. Despite observing for an hour, no 'barefooters' were found.

Hikers also said, "I often come here for exercise, but I have rarely seen anyone walking barefoot."

A local resident said, "It would be better if the path were covered with loess rather than sand," adding, "The current section should be extended by about 100m, and if leveling work is done, people might come here to walk barefoot."

There was also an opinion that the nearby foot-washing station needs improvement. The method involves washing feet in flowing valley water, but the rocks are covered with moss, raising concerns about slipping accidents, and infrastructure is needed for the path down to the valley water and the foot-washing area.

Jeong Chun-bae (69) said, "The gentle sound of the flowing valley water gives me peace of mind, so I visit five times a week, but I have never walked barefoot here," and suggested, "If the path length is extended, converted to a loess path, and exercise equipment is installed, many people might visit."

This current situation is why Kim Jae-sik, chairman of the Dong-gu Council in Gwangju, recently proposed the 'Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Barefoot Walking.' The ordinance mainly states that projects to create barefoot walking trails should be discovered and promoted to improve the health of related residents.

It stipulates promoting activation plans linked with cultural, artistic, and academic projects, including the installation of necessary facilities such as loess and sandy soil paths and foot-washing stations. Various opinions are being discussed to create barefoot paths along riversides, school playgrounds, and sports facilities, and related infrastructure is expected to increase in the future.

Chairman Kim said, "Currently, residents walk barefoot sporadically in places like school playgrounds, but we will work with related organizations to create walking trails loved by citizens."

Meanwhile, the Buk-gu, Seo-gu, and Nam-gu councils have enacted 'Ordinances on Supporting the Promotion of Walking' between July and August, striving to improve residents' health.