3,000 Participants Flock to 3km Barefoot Walk at Mungyeong Saejae ... Participation Across the Country

After the hottest summer weather, the heat eased following Ipchu, allowing for cool mornings and evenings. On the 18th and 19th, the ‘Five Senses Satisfaction 2023 Mungyeong Saejae Barefoot Festival’ was held throughout the Mungyeong Saejae area.

Marking its 18th year, the Five Senses Satisfaction Mungyeong Saejae Barefoot Festival extended from a one-day event to two days this year, designed to create happy memories for families together.

Residents participating in the Mungyeong Saejae barefoot walking event.

On the evening of the 18th, the pre-event featured a variety of healing camp activities including a lecture titled ‘Our Happy and Healthy Home,’ a magic show, K-POP dance, family conversations, and recreational time.

On the 19th, the opening day, the outdoor performance venue at Mungyeong Saejae gathered a crowd of 3,000 people including barefoot walking clubs from across the country, families, couples, friends, and corporate groups, showcasing the popularity of barefoot walking, which has recently surged beyond a trend into a craze.

Attendees included Kim Hak-hong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, Shin Hyun-guk, Mayor of Mungyeong, and local provincial council members, who walked together with participants, introducing Mungyeong Saejae and sharing a time of healing and communication.

This year’s barefoot walk started from the outdoor performance venue at Mungyeong Saejae and proceeded along a 3 km route passing through the first gate (Juhul Gate), where the yellow soil path unfolds, to the second gate (Jogok Gate).

Participants walked along the cool yellow soil path shaded by lush greenery on both sides, took short breaks at the Mungyeong Saejae drama set and Gyogwi Pavilion encountered midway, and enjoyed dipping their feet in the refreshing waters of Jogok Waterfall and other streams.

Those who completed the route at Jogok Gate, the second gate, were awarded completion medals, enhancing the festival’s image and boosting participants’ pride.

The positive effects of barefoot walking are well established. Walking on moist yellow soil while breathing fresh air and basking in sunlight promotes the secretion of serotonin, known as the happiness hormone.

Additionally, barefoot walking stimulates more muscles than wearing shoes, leading to muscle development and improved balance.

Especially for modern people who sit for long hours at work, vitamin D is naturally replenished, which greatly helps relieve stress.

Kim Hak-hong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, who attended the event, said, “I hope the Barefoot Walking Festival at Mungyeong Saejae, ranked as the number one domestic tourist destination Koreans must visit, will be an opportunity to catch two rabbits?health and enjoyment. This fall, I encourage you to plan a ‘Walking Trip to Gyeongbuk’ to slowly stroll through the abundant natural resources across Gyeongbuk.”

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