[Photo] Yudonggyun, Mayor of Mapo District, Continues 'Walking Exercise' with Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu has selected the 'Top 10 Walkable Paths in Mapo' and continues to promote a ‘walking exercise’ campaign with its residents.

On the morning of the 15th, Yoodonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, walked the designated 4th course, ‘Mapo Hangang Trail,’ together with Assemblyman Noh Woong-rae (Mapo Gap), Assemblyman Jung Cheong-rae (Mapo Eul), City Councilors Kim Sang-hoon, Jung Jin-sul, Kwon Young-sook, Kim Jong-seon, Chae Woo-jin, as well as residents of Sinsu-dong and Hapjeong-dong.

The 4th course is the Hangang Trail stretching from Mapo Naru to Yanghwajin, following the route: Mapo Station Exit 1 → Yonggang Matkkaebi-gil → Tojeong Ijiham-dong Sang → Tojeong Nadeulmok → Hyunseok Nadeulmok (Bamseom Observatory Park) → Seogang Nadeulmok → Yanghwajin Ferry Terminal → Jeoldusan Holy Site → Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery → Hapjeong Station Exit 7.

‘Mapo Naru,’ a key water transportation hub during the Joseon Dynasty that connected all regions nationwide, and the ‘Hyunseok Nadeulmok Interior,’ designed to resemble the ‘Pumpkin Room’ of the Russian Ekaterina Palace, symbolize a wish for blessings to all who pass through.

At the end of the Holy Site Trail starting from Hapjeong Station Exit 7 stands the ‘Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine,’ where approximately 8,000 Catholic believers and French missionaries lost their lives on Jamtubong during the Catholic persecution under Heungseon Daewongun in the Joseon Dynasty.

Next to the Martyrs’ Shrine lies the ‘Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery,’ where about 500 missionaries and their families who contributed to the modernization of Joseon are buried. Notable figures interred here include Horace G. Underwood, a British founder of Yonsei University’s predecessor Yonhui College; Ernest T. Bethell, a British correspondent who founded the 'Daehan Maeil Sinbo'; and Homer B. Hulbert, an American youth who acted as King Gojong’s secret envoy and supported Korean independence.

Yoodonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "Walking along the ‘Mapo Hangang Trail,’ which is rich with diverse historical stories, offers both a chance to study history and improve health. We will actively discover more opportunities for Mapo residents to have healthy experiences in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.