Gwangju Seo-gu, Barefoot Walking First Step Course Operation

Published 20 Feb.2024 13:44(KST)

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) is taking the lead in promoting the barefoot walking boom.

On the 20th, Seo-gu announced that it held the first barefoot walking lecture at the Deulbul Hall of Seo-gu Office to encourage residents to incorporate barefoot walking into their daily lives.

On the 20th, Seogu held the first Barefoot Walking Step lecture at Deulbul Hall in Seogu Office to promote barefoot walking as a daily habit among residents.
[Photo by Seogu]

Seo-gu invited Professor Kwon Taekhwan from Daegu National University of Education, author of "Barefoot Revolution" and principal of the Barefoot School of Korea, to give a humanities lecture titled "Becoming the Master of Body and Mind through Barefoot Walking."

Following this, walking instructor Jeong Chanyong, known as a barefoot walking evangelist, provided education on barefoot walking methods and their benefits.

Based on this lecture, Seo-gu will operate the "Barefoot Youth School" from next month until October to spread the practice of barefoot walking and strengthen health management capabilities.

During the three months of the first and second halves of the year, advanced barefoot walking education and field training will be conducted, and a plan is in place to cultivate competent instructors by linking with the barefoot walking instructor course.

Additionally, Seo-gu will run the "Walking Together in Seo-gu Day" program to revitalize walking culture in senior centers.

In connection with the senior job project, ten people aged 60 or older with a level 2 walking instructor certification will take the lead in providing education on proper walking methods, barefoot walking guidance and demonstrations, and individual gait correction at local senior centers, parks, and barefoot trails.

Son Sukja, Director of Health Promotion, said, "Through this education, we hope residents will take an interest in proper barefoot walking and develop good walking habits," adding, "We will spare no effort to support barefoot walking becoming a daily culture that promotes physical and mental health."