Yangju Mayor Kang Su-hyun Attends 'Uiryeong-gil Barefoot Walking Contest'

Over 1,000 Citizens and Others Participate

Yang Soo-hyun, Mayor of Yangju City, is giving a greeting at the 'Uiryeong-gil Barefoot Walking Contest' held on Uiryeong-gil.

Mayor Kang Su-hyun of Yangju City attended the ‘Barefoot Walking Contest on the Uiryeong Trail,’ organized and hosted by the Jangheung-myeon Sports Association, under the clear autumn sky, walking together with citizens.

The ‘Uiryeong Trail’ was established as a U.S. military operation road during the Korean War and was a route used by local residents to transport agricultural products to Seoul by horse-drawn carts. The trail spans a total of 6.8 km, with 3.7 km in Yangju City and 3.1 km in Seoul, connecting Gyohyeon-ri in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju City, and Uidong in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, serving as a shortcut.

Due to an armed spy infiltration incident in 1968, the ‘Uiryeong Trail’ was strictly off-limits to the public for over 40 years. However, following continuous demands from citizens wishing for its reopening, it was partially reopened in July 2009. Currently, it is the only trail within Bukhansan National Park that allows access by reservation.

The ‘Barefoot Walking Contest on the Uiryeong Trail,’ held on the 5th, was organized to widely promote the existence and beauty of Uiryeong and to allow participants to experience it barefoot.

The event was attended by about 1,000 people, including Mayor Kang Su-hyun of Yangju City, Yoon Chang-chul, Chairperson of the Yangju City Council, city and provincial council members, heads of various organizations and social groups, Yangju citizens, and residents from nearby Seoul areas.

The contest began at 9:30 a.m. with a gathering near the Gyohyeon Exploration Support Center in Jangheung-myeon, followed by a 2.3 km barefoot walk along the Uiryeong Autumn Foliage Trail, and concluded with an awards ceremony.

Especially at the venue, where the Obongsan Seokgulam (stone cave temple) is visible, the opening ceremony and a talent show by local residents took place amid cool weather, greatly enhancing the festive atmosphere of the region.

Mayor Kang Su-hyun of Yangju City expressed, “I am grateful that many citizens showed deep interest in Uiryeong and participated in the event,” adding, “If you visit the Uiryeong Trail, which offers views of Obongsan, one of Yangju’s representative scenic spots, you can truly feel the charm of Yangju.”