The first annual “Hangang River Harmony Walking Festival,” organized by the Committee for the 120th Anniversary of Korean Adventist Missions and hosted by the Korea Walking Federation, was held on October 27th, 2024, at the Misa Boat Race Park in Hanam City, South Korea.
Themed “Taking the First Steps Towards the 120-Year Era,” the event was conceived to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Adventist missions in Korea. It was the largest of the related anniversary events.
Way beyond initial expectations, the event brought together over 7,000 church members, spiritual seekers, and even non-believing walking enthusiasts from across the country and internationally. Registration opened at 10 AM, with individual participants and representatives from 70 churches and organizations participating. All registrants received event giveaways, such as badges, lanyards, beverages, towels, and bags.
The routes included a 7 km health walk from Junggo Plaza to Misa Riverside Park, 8 km barefoot walk to Hananamu Orphanage, and a 12 km walk for longevity through the Metasequoia Path and Misa Riverside Park.
Participants hoped the event would promote a balanced body, mind, and spirit well-being.
“I exercise regularly, and at church, we also walk once a week as a group,” said Elder Oh ChangJun and Ha YeongShin of Cheongnyangni Church. “But walking in such a special event feels even more rewarding today. It’s especially meaningful to walk together on this special occasion marking 120 years since the Adventist message first came to Korea.”
Compass missionary trainee Lee JuHye also shared, ‘It’s great to have the chance to walk and converse with family, friends, and colleagues, which we don’t often get to do in our busy lives.”
As many as 53 participants traveled 500 km from Jeju Island, wearing patches that read ‘Let’s Walk the Beautiful Jeju Together’ in the local dialect, and completed the walking event.
“We came to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Korean Adventist missions and support this first Harmony Walking Festival,” said Deaconesses Park SeonRan and Kang EunSuk. “We’re happy to be part of such a significant event for the Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church.” they said.
Foreign participants and people with disabilities also enjoyed the deepening autumn atmosphere. Nelly, a young Adventist from South Africa attending Cheongju New Heaven Church, was amazed, saying, ‘I saw the Pathfinder booth on the way, and it brought back childhood memories. It’s amazing to see people of all ages walking together. The Korean church is so exciting!’ Nearly 10 foreign participants joined from this church alone.
Deacon Soon-hwan Park from Yeoju Central Church, who took on the 7 km course in his electric wheelchair, said joyfully, “Since this is a nationwide event where I could meet Adventists from all over the country, I wanted to participate. It gives me a strong sense of belonging and pride. It’s been a wonderful day.”
Meanwhile, this event was jointly sponsored by the ECKC, WCKC, SEKC, MWCK, SWKC, and Jeju Conference, as well as Sahmyook University, Sahmyook Health University, Sahmyook Medical Center, Sahmyook Food, Sahmyook NatureSeven, Sahmyook Natural Food, SDA Education, Korean Publishing House, Sahmyook Welfare Foundation, and ADRA Korea.
The Korea Walking Federation plans to hold this event again next year and make it a regular event.