[One Day Ten Thousand Steps] Remembering the Spirit of Sacrifice in the March 1st Independence Movement through 'Walking'

A variety of events were held to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement by honoring the spirit of sacrifice of independence activists through walking.

The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation held a 120 km 'Overnight Manse Walking Competition' over two days from the 1st to the 2nd. This event was planned to honor the noble spirit of ancestors who sacrificed to reclaim the lost homeland.

The event took place on the longest 120 km course starting from Tapgol Park, circling the Han River, and continuing to Hanbit Square at Cheonggyecheon. The distance categories were divided into 10 km, 30 km, 60 km, and 120 km.

Participants in the 120 km course started from Tapgol Park at 11:30 AM on the 1st and walked the course overnight for two days until 6 PM the following day. Participants who successfully completed each distance category received a completion medal certified by the International Volunteer Youth Sports Federation (IVY).

Now in its 17th year, the Overnight Manse Walking event not only inherits the spirit of the March 1st Independence Movement but has also established itself as a festival linked with the surrounding areas of the course, contributing to the expansion of walking culture and revitalization of the local economy. Additionally, it is expected to help prevent diseases such as obesity and diabetes by promoting walking as a daily habit.

Retailers also took part in celebrating the March 1st Movement. CU, together with Big Walk, a social enterprise operating a social contribution platform, is conducting a customer participation walking campaign throughout March to express gratitude to independence patriots.

Customers who wish to participate can donate their accumulated steps walked or run through the Big Walk app connected via CU’s own application ‘Pocket CU’ to the CU 'Let’s Walk Together, Republic of Korea' campaign. After participating in the donation, they can share the issued certificate on social networking services (SNS).

Upon reaching the goal of 1 billion steps and 310 Instagram posts certifying campaign participation, CU will donate 10 million KRW and Big Walk will contribute 3 million KRW, totaling 13 million KRW. The donated funds will be delivered to the nonprofit housing welfare organization Korea Habitat and used as a fund to improve the housing environment for descendants of independence patriots.