Candidate Park Gwanyeol Vows to Create 32.5km 'K-Pilgrimage Route' Connecting Namhansanseong and Cheonjinam

Park Gwanyeol, Candidate for Mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province
Announces Pledge for the "Gwangju History and Faith Pilgrimage Route"
Aiming for the 2027 World Youth Day
Declares Vision to Establish a "K-Spirit" Tourism Model

Park Gwanyeol, candidate for mayor of Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Democratic Party), announced on May 8 a plan to create the "Gwangju History and Faith Pilgrimage Route (tentative name)" connecting Gwangju's historical and religious resources, on the occasion of the World Youth Day (WYD).

Gwangju Mayor candidate Park Gwanyul of the Democratic Party on the 8th announced a plan to create the "Gwangju History and Faith Pilgrimage Trail (tentative name)" connecting Gwangju's historical and religious resources, taking advantage of the World Youth Day (WYD). Photo provided by candidate Park Gwanyul

Candidate Park stated, "Although Gwangju City possesses world-class assets such as Namhansanseong Fortress and Cheonjinam Holy Site, there has been a limitation in generating synergy due to the lack of pedestrian tourism infrastructure connecting them," adding, "With the 2027 World Youth Day as a turning point, we will establish unique tourism content exclusive to Gwangju."

The core of the project is to create a 32.5-kilometer pilgrimage walking route that combines history, faith, and ecology, starting from Namhansanseong Fortress and following the Gyeongan Stream riverside trail to Cheonjinam.

This route will connect major points of interest, including the birthplace of Haegong Shin Ikhee and the House of Sharing, and will be developed as a stay-type tourism course where visitors can walk, stay, and experience.

In particular, disconnected sections will be linked using riverside deck paths and forest trails, and measures will be taken to minimize walking along roadways to establish a safe and pleasant pedestrian environment.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, the city also plans to link the pilgrimage route to the "Korea Dulle-gil" and the "Religious and Cultural Healing Pilgrimage Program," and to designate the route as an official pilgrimage course for the 2027 World Youth Day.

Together with Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, the city will also promote the development of the "Gwangju Pilgrimage Pass," which will connect accommodations and restaurants around the pilgrimage route.

A global promotional strategy will also be implemented. Candidate Park plans to expand exchanges with the Vatican and overseas pilgrimage routes, and foster the pilgrimage route as an international pilgrimage tourism brand by awarding "Gwangju Honorary Citizen Certificates" and commemorative medals to those who complete the course.

The funding will be secured by actively obtaining national funds such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Tourism Resource Development Fund and the Religious and Cultural Support Project, as well as through matching provincial funds from Gyeonggi Province's "Historical and Cultural Ecological Trail Development Project."

Candidate Park emphasized, "This pilgrimage route will become more than just a tourism course; it will serve as a 'K-Spirit Tourism Model' that encompasses the history, faith, and nature of Gwangju," adding, "We will transform Gwangju into a city where people want to stay and return, revitalizing the local economy and enabling it to leap forward as an international cultural city."

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