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The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (Chairman Choi Byung-oh, Chairman of Fashion Group Hyungji) simultaneously held the ‘2023 Textile and Fashion Industry One-Heart Walking Festival’ on the 18th at Seoul Namsangol Hanok Village, Daegu Bongmu Park, and Busan Igidae Waterfront Park.

The walking festival, now in its 12th year, attracted 1,100 participants nationwide, including textile and fashion industry professionals and their families, who shared the warm purpose of ‘raising scholarship funds and spreading a culture of donation.’ Chairman Choi Byung-oh also participated in the event with textile workers at Seoul Namsangol Hanok Village, climbing Namsan and representing the participants by donating the entry fees. All entry fees are donated as scholarship funds to nurture future talents in the textile and fashion industry. The cumulative amount donated until last year reached 424.13 million KRW.

On November 18, at Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul, Choi Byung-ho, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (Chairman of Fashion Group Hyungji), and textile industry professionals are taking a commemorative photo at the "2023 Textile Fashion Industry Unity Walking Event."
[Photo by Korea Federation of Textile Industries]

The number of prizes to encourage participant engagement has been increasing day by day, and this year about 4,800 items were provided by 42 companies. Previously held only in the metropolitan area, the event expanded to include Daegu (Bongmu Park) and Busan (Igidae Waterfront Park), major textile and fashion production areas that had been unable to participate due to geographical limitations. These locations held walking events locally and participated through online channels (opening and closing ceremonies). Major production areas such as Gyeonggi, Iksan, and Gongju also expanded participation at Seoul Namsangol Hanok Village through local organizations and companies, establishing the event as a grand festival for textile and fashion professionals.

On November 18, at Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul, Choi Byung-ho, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (Chairman of Fashion Group Hyungji, left in the photo), is donating the participation fees on behalf of all participants at the "2023 Textile Fashion Industry Unity Walking Event."
[Photo by Korea Federation of Textile Industries]

Various walking events were also held across the country over the weekend. On the morning of the 18th, the ‘2023 Chiaksan Hwangjangmok Forest Trail Walking Festival’ took place around Guryongsa Temple within Chiaksan National Park. The trekking course was about 6.5 km from Hanul Cafe along the Hwangjangmok forest trail to Seryeom Waterfall. Chiaksan is one of the habitats of Hwangjangmok, a precious wood used by the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty. Participants enjoyed a healing time appreciating the fresh air and natural scenery along the Hwangjangmok forest trail.

On the same day, the ‘2023 Noryang Naval Battle Admiral Yi Sun-sin Pilgrimage Walking Event’ was held around the Yi Sun-sin Martyrs’ Park in Namhae County, Gyeongnam Province, hosted by Gyeongnam Province and the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation. Participants walked a 6.2 km section from Gwanuampo Yi Sun-sin Martyrs’ Park, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s body was brought ashore after the Noryang Naval Battle, to Chungnyeolsa Shrine, where a memorial shrine was built. The event featured a kite-flying reenactment by Shin Ho-yeon, performances by the percussion arts group ‘Damul,’ and the Tongjeyeong Martial Arts Troupe. In Yangsan City, the ‘2023 Yangsan City Companion Animal Culture Festival’ was held around the pet owner rest area in Hwangsan Park. In Cheorwon County, the ‘2023 Hantan River Columnar Joint Walking Festival’ took place in Galtan-ri, Galmal-eup, Cheorwon County. Participants walked the 3.6 km cliff trail from Deureuni Parking Lot to Sundam Valley, enjoying the scenery of the columnar joint canyon.