Seoul International Full Moon Night Walk

Seoul residents raise millions for Nepal in International Full Moon Night Walk along city centre and walls

Seoul residents have raised millions of won after participating in the city’s International Full Moon Night Walk on Nov. 8 (Sat.), 2014.

The charity event saw more than 500 people walk 10 km from Seoul Museum of History to Naksan Park and raise around 5 million won (4600 US dollars) to help build a school in Nepal.

Event organiser Michelle Mihaeng Kim (Kim Mi-Haeng) was very pleased with the outcome of the annual charity walk, both for the money raised and the impact on the participants who walked through modern and ancient parts of Seoul.

“It was a great success,” she said. “Because many foreigners mentioned the beautiful scenery in Naksan Park and there was a full moon.”

The money raised will go towards funds to build a school for children lacking educational opportunities in rural Nepal.

Volunteer at the event Kim Joung-Yun, 17, stressed how helpful the proceeds of the walk will be to the Nepalese youngsters.

“I have been to Nepal and I saw the importance of schools there,” she said. “I feel that it’s very important they have an education and we have given them this opportunity to be educated.”

English teacher from New York City Elizabeth Conway joined the walk after taking part in a similar event in June. She appreciated how important the walk was in raising funds.

“It definitely makes walking out here more rewarding,” she said. “It’s a wonderful idea.”

After setting off from the Seoul Museum of History, participants walked along Cheonggyechon stream, already crowded with people gathered to see the Seoul Lantern Festival.

The walk then took them from the East Gate of Seoul City Wall, along the wall itself before finishing at Naksan Park near Jangsoo Village.

At the finish walkers were treated to traditional Korean fare of tofu soup, kimchi, kimbap and makgeolli. There was also entertainment from all-girl percussion group Drumcat to add to the party atmosphere.

Hyundai Motors engineer Park Hwa-Rang, 28, was glad to get to the finish line after the long trek and take part in the festivities

“It was a little hard but I am OK with that,” he admitted. “The food was good. I was really hungry.”

There was also a candlelit wish tree and the opportunity to take part in the Korean ceremony of burning a wish note under a full moon.

“My girlfriend wished for happiness and wealth for both of us,” said Mr. Park, who said that he will be coming back next year.

This was the second charity walk organised by the Korean Association of Foreign Language Academies (KAFLA) in conjunction with Chosun Biz magazine. Organiser Michelle Mihaeng Kim is hoping to achieve more with future walks.

“We expect to get a better event next year and we want to expand overseas, not just in Korea,” Mrs. Kim said. “We also hope to work with the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO).”

Those who took photographs at the event are being urged to send in their snaps to www.kafla.net or to the KAFLA Walkathon Facebook page by midnight on Nov. 14 (Friday), 2014. They stand a chance of winning the grand prize of a trip for two to Jeju Island by Korean Air. Photos will be judged on the criteria of: the event, overall energy, color, and historical points.

Article by Mirela from Bulgaria