Self-Taught with One Left Foot: Dr. Lee Beomsik’s 140 km Walking Campaign for TK Administrative Integration

Under the slogan "Connecting the Road," Dr. Lee Beomsik and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integration Walking Campaign Team completed a total 140 km walking campaign, departing from the Daegu Sanggyeok Government Complex on the 11th, passing through Chilgok, Gunwi, and Uiseong, and arriving at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office on the 19th.

This trek was carried out to share the meaning of communication and empathy among members of the local community in relation to the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. During the journey, the campaign team met with local residents and exchanged a wide range of views surrounding administrative integration.

Dr. Lee Beomsik, who taught himself to walk using only his left foot, arrived at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office after walking 140 km to express his hope for Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration.

Dr. Lee Beomsik, who led this journey, lost both arms and his right leg in an accident in his early twenties when he was electrocuted by high-voltage current at an industrial site, and he had to relearn all functions of life using only his remaining left foot. However, instead of falling into despair, he taught himself to use a computer by typing on a keyboard and holding a pen with the toes of his left foot, eventually completing his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and now actively gives lectures in the fields of rehabilitation for persons with disabilities and improving disability awareness, sharing hope with many people.

Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheolwoo, who welcomed Dr. Lee Beomsik and the campaign team upon their arrival at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office, said, "I am grateful that the walking campaign has conveyed the meaning of communication and empathy between regions," adding, "I hope this will serve as an opportunity to listen closely to the diverse opinions of our residents."