On November 15, approximately 1,000 people participated in an 8km walking event from Seoho Park to Imok-dong, Haeujae, and to Uiwang City Hall

◇ On the morning of November 15, approximately 1,000 participants of the Gyeonggi Province 600th anniversary event of walking old paths depart from Seoho Park, following a course to Imok-dong, Heoujae, and to Uiwang City Hall. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yu Je-hun

“I love the natural scenery of Gyeonggi Province and Korean culture so much. I’m excited to learn more about the history of Gyeonggi Province and Korea, and to have new cultural experiences by walking along the old paths in Gyeonggi Province.” 

On the morning of November 15, Ariel (22, Jukjeon Yongin), an American, and her Korean friend were at Seoho Park tightening their shoes. Ariel said she loves Korea so much that she studied Korean for about three years in the US and then flew to Gyeonggi Province. She also said with a big smile, “I have great interest particularly in the history and culture of Gyeonggi Province and Korea. I’d like to spend a meaningful time here talking about the history while walking together with residents of Gyeonggi Province.” 

For the purpose of celebrating ‘Gyeonggi Province Year 600’ and promoting historical and cultural trails, the Gyeonggi Province 600^th anniversary event of walking old paths started on November 15 at Seoho Park with approximately 1,000 locals participating.  

Arranged by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation together with a total of 17 counties and cities including Goyang and Gwacheon, the walking event followed a course of 8 kilometers, starting from Seoho Park, passing through Imok-dong, Haeujae, and ending at Uiwang City Hall. For the event, the walking course was divided into two sub routes: one mid-level route from Seoho Park to Haeujae, and one high-level route from Haeujae to Uiwang City Hall. 

Prior to this event, a walking relay along old provincial paths was held from November 7 to 14, during which 30 members walked the entire 50 kilometer course of Uiju Road as well as the entire 80 kilometer course of Samnam Road while holding banners and flags for Gyeonggi old paths.

Despite the cold, participants showed up early in the morning in small groups of families and friends, and embarked on their walk, wearing markers and holding promotional balloons for the walking event. 

Before starting the walk, a ceremony was held to hand over the flags of the Uiju Road and Samnam Road walking relays; this event included diverse cultural performances for participants. Banners explaining the 600-year history of Gyeonggi Province and a variety of performances were presented at a number of locations along the walking route. 

◇ Jo Chang-hui, CEO of the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, and other participants do some warm-up exercises before the start. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yu Je-hun

Jeong Hye-rim, who participated in the walk with her daughter, said, “Our house is near here, and I walk for exercise daily. I decided to participate in this event because I thought it would be a great opportunity to look back on the history of Gyeonggi Province together with my daughter, who is graduating from elementary school this year.” 

A quiz event about the Gyeonggi old paths was also held for participants, which created an unusual scene of people gathering in front of information panels about Gyeonggi old paths and studying with their quiz papers with pens in hand. 

The Gyeonggi old path project has been carried out jointly by Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, cities, counties, and private walking organizations to recreate old paths that used to extend from Gyeonggi Province in all directions as historical and cultural trails. 

Samnam Road, which was opened in May last year, consists of 10 routes of 90 kilometers in total (Gwacheon to Pyeongtaek) and is based on the original form of the Samnam main road. Uiju Road, which opened last October, and whose origin is the Uiju main road (connecting with China), was constructed with five routes of 50 kilometers in total (Goyang to Paju). 

An initiative to create another historical and cultural trail based on the Yeongnam main road (Seongnam to Anseong), which used to be the road leading to Busan and Japan, began this year; it is scheduled to open in the first half of 2015.

Jo Chang-hui, CEO of the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, said,“There are a number of precious but unknown historical sites that reflect the 600-year history of Gyeonggi Province. I hope this event continues as a meaningful event for historical and cultural experiences in the minds of local participants.”

◇ Members of the walking relay along Gyeonggi old paths, held from November 7 to 14, hand over promotional flags to participants of the walking event before the start. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yu Je-hun

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Roh Kyung-hee khrohh@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201411151821317055C049&s_code=C049