"'This' Is Better Than Tonic... Boost Your Health and Feast Your Eyes This Fall [The Essentials of Benefits]"

'Wonju International Walking Festival' to be Held October 24-25
'Busan Park Barefoot Day' Kicks Off October 17
Registration Opens on a First-Come, First-Served Basis for the 'Songnisan Dulle-gil Walking Festival'

Editor's Note"The more you know, the more you see." Even in an age overflowing with information, there are many things that somehow pass us by. In [The Essentials of Benefits], we bring you useful news to help with everyday life.

As the saying goes, "Walking is good medicine." Walking is considered a safe and effective way to improve health. Regular walking lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke and helps with weight management and muscle strengthening. It also has a positive effect on maintaining cognitive function and relieving stress.

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Studies have found that walking in the forest can provide greater psychological and physical health benefits than walking in the city. According to findings released in July 2025 by the National Institute of Forest Science under the Korea Forest Service, walking 2 km along a forest trail for about 30 minutes resulted in an average 35% lower level of negative mood than walking in the city. In a 10-week study of women in their 40s to 60s, levels of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is associated with slowing aging, increased more among those who exercised on forest trails than among those who exercised indoors.

Autumn, with its cool breezes, is a wonderful season for walking. Walking events are being held across the country, offering a chance to enjoy the season while following paths painted with fall colors and walking through lush forests.

Nation's largest walking festival to be held... 32nd Wonju International Walking Festival on October 24-25

Wonju City in Gangwon Province will host the 32nd Wonju International Walking Festival throughout the city on October 24 and 25. Certified by the International Walking Federation, it is the largest walking festival in South Korea. Around 10,000 participants from home and abroad, including about 500 visitors from 15 countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Japan, and China, are expected to enjoy Wonju's autumn scenery.

Wonju International Walking Festival. Screenshot of the official website of the Wonju International Walking Festival.

The event will offer four distances on both days: 5 km, 10 km, 20 km, and 30 km. The 30 km course starts at 9 a.m., the 20 km course at 10 a.m., and the 10 km and 5 km courses at 11 a.m.

Participants can register through the official website or at the event office on the first floor of the Wonju National Sports Center. Advance registration is open through October 22. On-site registration will also be available on the day of the event until the commemorative gifts run out.

The fee is 10,000 won per person. Groups of 30 or more receive discounted rates of 8,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for high school students and younger participants. Participants will receive a commemorative gift, course map, bib number, finisher's certificate, and a button indicating the number of times they have participated. For more information, contact the Korea Walking Federation.

"I've heard walking barefoot is good for you. Should I give it a try?"... Busan's Barefoot Day

As barefoot walking gains attention as a way to look after one's health, barefoot trails are being created across the country and related events are being held. More and more residents are walking barefoot on dirt paths to enjoy nature and take care of their health as part of everyday life.

An event offering the chance to walk barefoot on trails in the heart of Busan is set to take place. From October 17 through 31, the city will hold Busan Park Barefoot Day every Saturday, starting at Ttangmoesan Red Clay Trail in Geumjeong-gu, followed by Sodubang Park in Gijang-gun and Dongnae Eupseong Bukmun Barefoot Trail in Dongnae-gu.

Busan Park Barefoot Day. Busan City.

The events will take place at 11 a.m. on October 17 at Ttangmoesan in Geumjeong-gu, at 1 p.m. on October 24 at Sodubang Park in Gijang-gun, and at 3 p.m. on October 31 at Dongnae Eupseong Bukmun Barefoot Trail in Dongnae-gu.

Those who register in advance will receive a running vest. Both advance and on-site registrants can receive a shoe bag, portable cushion, bottled water, and other items, while finishers will receive a Boogi key ring. Participants who visit and complete all three events can also receive a limited-edition eco-friendly wooden finisher's medal at Dongnae Eupseong Bukmun Barefoot Trail on October 31.

The event is open to everyone. Participants can register through the online platform Eventus. On-site registration will also be available on the day of each event.

"They say the fall foliage will be at its peak just then"... 500 spots available for the Songnisan Dulle-gil Walking Festival

A festival in North Chungcheong Province will offer the chance to enjoy autumn foliage while walking mountain trails. The incorporated association Songnisan Dulle-gil is recruiting 500 participants for the 8th Songnisan Dulle-gil Walking Festival, to be held on November 7.

Songnisan Dulle-gil Walking Festival. Yonhap News

Participants will set out at 9:30 a.m. from Chungbuk Alps Natural Recreation Forest and walk an approximately 10.5 km course connecting Janggap-ri, Baekseokbo, Baekseok Forest Trail, and Bukam Bridge. The walk will take about three hours. Organizers expect the Songnisan foliage to be at its peak during the event, offering participants beautiful autumn scenery.

The fee is 10,000 won per person. Those wishing to participate can register in advance through the event office. Finishers will receive prizes and banquet noodles.

The Songnisan Dulle-gil is an approximately 200 km long-distance walking route connecting Boeun and Goesan in North Chungcheong Province with Mungyeong and Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province. It is considered one of the five premier mountain trekking destinations designated by the Korea Forest Service.

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