Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon: "Let's Turn the Crisis of Peace into an Opportunity for Peace"

'2024 DMZ Peace Walk' Held... Over 1,500 Participants Including Foreign Ambassadors to Korea
Governor Kim: "Bold Courage Creates Peace and History"... Wishing for 'Greater Peace'

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is delivering a congratulatory speech at the '2024 DMZ Peace Walk' held around Imjingak, Paju on the 5th.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon attended the ‘2024 DMZ Peace Walk’ held on the 5th around Imjingak in Paju, walking together with residents to pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Governor Kim said, “Although peace on the Korean Peninsula is under threat, the people of the Republic of Korea have the DNA to overcome crises. Let us all join forces to turn this peace crisis into an opportunity for peace,” adding, “Today, as we walk for peace on the Korean Peninsula, let us pledge together to walk the path of prosperity for the Republic of Korea.”

Since 2019, the ‘DMZ Peace Walk’ has been a representative sport of the DMZ Open Festival, where participants walk along the ecological trail by the Imjin River within the Civilian Control Line (CCL), directly experiencing the ecological value and importance of peace in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) area.

This year’s event was attended by over 1,500 people, including Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Korea, J?nis B?rzi??, the Latvian Ambassador to Korea, ambassadors from a total of nine countries, representatives from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) from Switzerland and Sweden, and members of the provincial council, all joining the footsteps toward the ‘Greater Peace’ pursued by the 8th Gyeonggi Province administration.

Before the walk, Governor Kim and the foreign ambassadors to Korea gathered in the reception hall to leave their messages on the ‘Peace Message Board,’ reflecting on the peaceful significance of the DMZ and expressing their hopes for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. Governor Kim wrote the message, “Bold courage creates peace and history!”

Afterwards, Governor Kim walked and communicated with residents participating in the event along the ecological trail by the Imjin River within the CCL. Participants walked the ecological trail inside the CCL, observing ecosystems beyond the barbed wire that are usually unseen. This year, the course was newly designed to follow the Peace Nuri Trail Course 8 (Imjingak to Jangsan Observatory), increasing participant satisfaction.

Gyeonggi Province prepared not only a simple walking event but also various side programs for the ‘2024 DMZ Peace Walk.’ The Heart Heart Orchestra performance enriched the atmosphere of the event, and around the venue, various booths such as social value product promotion booths and sports taping experience booths were operated, providing participants with unique experiences.

Additionally, emphasizing the peace and ecology of the DMZ, Gyeonggi Province added an ‘Eco Footprint Reduction Campaign’ focused on carbon reduction and a ‘Treasure Hunt (Stamp Tour)’ using augmented reality (AR) technology, offering more diverse experiential opportunities. Participants could experientially learn messages about environmental protection while completing missions, and eco-friendly elements were highlighted throughout the event with mobile completion certificates and eco-friendly souvenirs (reusable cups, wooden medals).

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province will continue the ‘DMZ Peace Marathon’ on the 6th at the same location, where participants can run around the DMZ area. Through this two-day DMZ sports festival, Gyeonggi Province expects the DMZ to establish itself as a symbolic space for peace and sports.