Imjingang Life and Peace Walking Pilgrimage Begins in Yeoncheon... 123km Journey Ahead

A 123-Kilometer Journey Nears Completion
Through Paju, Goyang, and Gimpo

Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 25th that the Imjingang Life and Peace Walking Pilgrimage marked a historic departure in Yeoncheon on the 23rd.

The Imjingang Life and Peace Walking Pilgrimage Group marked a historic departure in Yeoncheon on the 23rd. Photo by Yeoncheon County

The Life and Peace Walking Pilgrimage, first initiated by National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, began at the Seomjingang River in 2005 and is now in its sixth year. This year's event is a symbolic journey that starts from the source of the Imjingang River (the division point), a river shared by North and South Korea, and continues to the confluence with the Hangang River. It goes beyond a simple walking event, featuring a variety of programs that deliver messages of peace, life, and coexistence.

On the first day of the event, August 23, about 200 participants joined, including Assemblyman Yeom Taeyoung, who led the pilgrimage, Minister of Environment Kim Seonghwan, Yeoncheon County Governor Kim Deokhyeon, and representatives from water environment and watershed conservation organizations.

In particular, the ritual to pray for a safe journey and the reading of the South-North Exchange and Cooperation Declaration, both held at the Imjingang Peace Wetland Center-an ecological park located inside the Civilian Control Line-were seen as historic moments. These ceremonies not only wished for the safety and success of the pilgrimage but also elevated the significance of the event by marking a new starting point for peace and communication beyond division and restricted spaces.

The walking pilgrimage began at the Imjingang Peace Wetland Center and continued through Green Village, Greeting Man, and the Gunnam Flood Control Dam, covering a distance of about 11 kilometers. Despite the hot weather, participants enjoyed Yeoncheon’s pristine natural environment and embraced the message of peace and life.

That evening, the “Dangposeong Starlight Mini Concert” was held to further expand the meaning of the Imjingang Life Walking Pilgrimage. The concert featured a variety of performances, including popera, classical string music, and traditional Korean percussion. With around 200 participants and local residents in attendance, the concert has been described as a cultural and artistic turning point, transforming the Imjingang River from a symbol of division into a space of peace.

Kim Deokhyeon, Governor of Yeoncheon County, stated, “This walking pilgrimage will shed new light on the history and value of peace held by the inter-Korean shared river, and serve as an opportunity to deliver a message of hope for the future of the Korean Peninsula. We will actively cooperate to ensure the remaining schedule is completed safely and successfully.”

Meanwhile, after three days in Yeoncheon, the Imjingang Life and Peace Walking Pilgrimage will continue through Paju, Goyang, and Gimpo, ultimately completing a journey of about 123 kilometers.

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