Kim Dong-yeon Visits DMZ: "Bold Response to Peaceful Unification and Climate Change"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is performing the starting ceremony (drumming) with event participants at the DMZ Peace Walk event held at the DMZ Ecotourism Support Center on the afternoon of the 20th.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon strongly expressed his commitment to 'peaceful unification' and 'climate change response.'

On the 20th, Governor Kim attended the '2023 DMZ Peace Walking Festival' held around Imjingak in Paju and said, "The DMZ symbolizes peace and ecology (environment). Through today's event, I want to show our determination for peace and unification and demonstrate Gyeonggi Province's progressive, bold, and courageous resolve to respond to climate change." He added, "The purpose of this event is also to create a good opportunity to lay the foundation for the independence and growth of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province."

Since 2019, the 'DMZ Peace Walking Festival' has been held as a representative sports event of the comprehensive DMZ OPEN Festival. Participants walk along the ecological trail by the Imjin River within the Civilian Control Line, experiencing the values of peace, ecology, and history in the DMZ area.

This year, about 1,500 people participated, including Philippe Lefort, French Ambassador to Korea, Aris Vigants, Latvian Ambassador to Korea, and other foreign ambassadors and charg?s d'affaires from 15 countries, Yeom Jong-hyun, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, Kang Geum-sil, Gyeonggi Province Climate Ambassador, and foreign students from countries that participated in the Korean War, joining the steps toward Gyeonggi Province's 'Greater Peace.'

Ambassador Philippe Lefort said, "The Korean War is a painful history for Korea and a painful memory for the French military as well. I pay tribute and respect to the many veterans who fought and sacrificed to protect Korea's freedom." He added, "I hope the Korean Peninsula will become peaceful through irreversible denuclearization."

Governor Kim spent time walking and communicating with residents along the ecological trail by the Imjin River. Participants walked the ecological trail within the Civilian Control Line, observing ecosystems beyond the barbed wire that are usually unseen, and enjoyed traditional Korean music performances and the Panmunjom Dobodari photo zone at a rest area midway through the course.

Gyeonggi Province organized not only the sports event but also various performances and booths at the 'DMZ Peace Walking Festival.' Celebratory performances featured Dream With Ensemble, Wan Ihwa, and Guckkasten, while booths selling local specialties and promoting the RE100 policy were set up around the venue.

To facilitate smooth participation, Gyeonggi Province operated and supported the resumed 'DMZ Peace Train.' The train runs to Dorasan Station, which had been closed to the public, allowing residents to experience the DMZ area by train. The DMZ Peace Train operates twice on weekends each month from June to October.

Before attending the '2023 DMZ Peace Walking Festival,' Governor Kim Dong-yeon took the DMZ Peace Train from Munsan Station in Paju to Dorasan Station and said, "Dorasan Station is the last station from the south, but once unification happens, it will be the first station heading north." He added, "I want to embark on a great journey for peace and unification today with Gyeonggi residents and many diplomatic envoys through the DMZ Peace Walk. Let us all work together for the great mission of peaceful unification that lies ahead."

Meanwhile, aiming for 'Greater Peace,' the 2023 DMZ OPEN Festival, hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, began its grand journey starting with the peace walking event on the 20th and will continue until November. Gyeonggi Province plans to hold various events including performances, exhibitions, academic conferences, and sports to promote the ecological, peace, and historical values of the DMZ. This event was organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the armistice.

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