Governor Kim, “South and North need to become one just as two bicycle wheels”
(Published May 26, 2013)

‘Tour de DMZ’, a 72km bicycle parade from Yeoncheon to Paju was successfully completed on May 25.

◇ Peace bicycle parade for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, ‘Tour de DMZ’, was held in Yeoncheon to Paju region of Gyeonggi Province on May 25 with the participation of about 2,000 bicycle lovers. In the morning of this day, participants are starting the parade in Yeoncheon County Public Stadium. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Yoo Je-hoon
 
‘Tour de DMZ’, where nation-wide bicycle lovers ride bicycle in the hope of unification, was held on May 25 in Yeoncheon to Paju regions of Gyeonggi Province.
 
This peace bike parade was named after ‘Tour de France, a pride of France, and it is the first commemorative event for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice which Gyeonggi Province prepared with the title, ‘DMZ 60th year, Now is Life’.
 
At 10 a.m. of this day, the opening ceremony was held in Yeoncheon County Public Stadium, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo, Ministry of Unification Vice-minister Kim Nam-sik, Yeoncheon Country Governor Kim Gyu-seon, chief of Gyeonggi Regional Head Office of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Jo Jae-rok, and Gyeonggi Province Honorary Ambassador Christina participated in there.
 
Governor Kim Moon-soo celebrated the opening in his opening speech, saying “Yeoncheon, the very center of the Korean peninsula, has kept the agony of the division of Korea. South and North will be able to go further away comfortably when the two become one just as the two wheels of the bike. I hope participants will ride powerfully and strongly in the hope of unification.◇ The guests participating in the opening ceremony stand on the platform of the touch button, which signals the opening of the parade, and get ready to fly dove-shaped balloons with the message of peace. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Yoo Je-hoon◇ Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo is delivering an opening remark. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Yoo Je-hoon
 
In this parade participated about 2,000 people including bike club members, North Korean refugees, cyclists with disabilities, officers and men of the armed forces, US Forces in Korea, and officials from embassies of combatant nations.
 
This day, participants rode bikes for 72.7km, which means July 27, the day of the Korean War Armistice, from Public Stadium of Yeoncheon to Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri of Paju, enjoying history and ecology of DMZ.

In particular, while participants were riding bikes with national flags of combatant nations and UN flag fixed in their backpack for 72.7km around DMZ, the region was colored with UN flags, presenting the spectacles and great impression.
 
Gyeonggi Province explained that this event was not just a bike parade but paved the way for communication and harmony of the whole classes, generations, and ideologies as persons with and without disabilities, ROK armed forced and US forces, North Korean refugees, and officials from embassies of combatant nations joined to ride bikes around DMZ, the site of the national division.

One of the national cyclists with disabilities for Paralympics, Jin Yong-sik expressed his impression on the event, saying “I decided to take part in this event because of the significance and value of this event as the 60th anniversary of armistice.” He also said, “This parade will be a meaningful memory for members of bike clubs as well as cyclists.”
 
Lee Jong-sang (45, Seongbuk-gu of Seoul), a member of bike club DOSSA who undertook a task as patrol, said, “I look forward to riding the course along DMZ.” He also said, “I wish to ride a bicycle together with North Korean residents after South and North are reunite in the future.”◇ Prior to the opening of the parade, Governor Kim takes a commemorative photograph with members of bike clubs. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Yoo Je-hoon◇ Guests participating in the opening ceremony including vice-governor for Administrative Affairs 2 Dept. of Gyeonggi Province Choi Seung-dae (third from left) take a commemorative photograph in cycling wear before the start of the bicycle parade. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Yoo Je-hoon

‘Tour de DMZ’, which was held for the first time this year, was expected to have difficulty in recruiting participants at first due to the considerably long distance, but closed the registration before the deadline due to great responses from the people who sympathized with the purpose of the event.
 
In order to pay a full attention to successful management of the event, safety of participants and actions to emergency, Gyeonggi Province ensured safety in race and responded to emergency by deploying about 100 volunteers around the event place.
 
The official event of this day included performance of military band by ROK 5th Division, performance by ‘Impact’, the cheerleader team which won in World Championships of International Dance Association, and DMZ Photo Exhibition.
 ◇ This day, participants, divided into Group A, B, or C, rode bikes for 72.7km from Public Stadium of Yeoncheon to Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri of Paju by group. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News / Yoo Je-hoon
 
ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Lee Joon-kyun eyekle0723@kg21.net
 
http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201305261309167055C049&s_code=C049