Gwangju Citizens Walk Through Downtown to Wish for Success of Archery Championships

Festival Held from 5.18 Democratic Square to Geumnam-ro and Chungjang-ro
Archery Gold Medalists Including Lee Seungyun and Choi Miseon Participate

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the city and provincial residents' festival walking event held on the afternoon of the 5th at the Dong-gu 5·18 Democratic Square to pray for the successful hosting of the 'Gwangju 2025 World Archery Championships for the Disabled' and performed an 'archery fireworks' performance with guests. Provided by Gwangju City

On July 6, the Gwangju City Government announced that it had held a city and provincial residents' festival walking event on July 5, a weekend, in the area around the 5·18 Democratic Square and Geumnam-ro to pray for the successful hosting of the 'Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships for the Disabled'.

This festival was held as part of the 'Geumnam-ro Car-Free Street' event, which is linked to the city's 'Daejabo (Public Transportation, Bicycles, Walking) City' policy. It featured the 'Geotjaying Campaign,' a citizen participation program in which participants walked along the streets and experienced a variety of activities.

Over 800 people took part in the event, including Mayor Kang Gijeong, Gwangju City Superintendent of Education Lee Jeongseon, Dong-gu District Head Lim Taek, Nam-gu District Head Kim Byeongnae, Gwangju City Council Member Chae Eunji, and local residents. The event was given added significance by the participation of archery gold medalists Lee Seungyun (Nam-gu District Office, Gwangju) and Choi Miseon (Kwangju Bank TenTen Archery Team).

Prior to the main event, various programs such as random play dance and archery shooting experiences were held, receiving an enthusiastic response from citizens. At the opening ceremony that followed, Mayor Kang and key guests took to the stage to wish for the successful hosting of the championships. An 'archery fireworks' performance, symbolizing archery, heightened the atmosphere and signaled the start of the walking event.

Participants held LED candles in their hands and walked together for about 1.2 kilometers, starting from Jeonil Building 245 and passing through Geumnam-ro and Chungjang-ro. As they made their way to the 5·18 Democratic Square, the site of the World Archery Championships finals, they voiced their hopes for the successful hosting of the event.

Mayor Kang stated, "This gathering, where citizens walk together, is a valuable starting point for the success of the World Archery Championships," and added, "We will thoroughly prepare to ensure that this event becomes an opportunity to showcase Gwangju's unique values to the world."

Meanwhile, as of July 1, 710 athletes from 69 countries had registered to participate in the World Archery Championships, and 416 athletes from 40 countries had registered for the World Para Archery Championships. The organizing committee is meticulously reviewing detailed plans for accommodation, transportation, and event operations to ensure the best possible environment for the championships.