Rep. Yeom Tae-young Leads 8-Day, 130km Life Pilgrimage on Foot Along Our Rivers
Rep. Yeom Tae-young of the Democratic Party of Korea (Suwon Mu) and the Korea River Restoration Network announced that they will hold the ‘7th Life Pilgrimage on Foot Along Our Rivers, 2026 Namhan River’ for eight days from the 21st to the 28th, walking a total of 130km from Geomnyongso in Taebaek to Dumulmeori in Yangpyeong.
The ‘Life Pilgrimage on Foot Along Our Rivers’ is an event that former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik led five times starting from the Seomjin River in 2005 through to the Yeongsan River. Rep. Yeom Tae-young has been hosting it since last year’s Imjin River pilgrimage, 12 years later, and this year it continues along the Namhan River.
This event is co-hosted by 23 lawmakers—Woo Won-shik, Yeom Tae-young, Seo Wang-jin, Lee Hak-yong, Maeng Sung-kyu, Park Jung, Song Ok-ju, Eo Gi-gu, Kim Young-bae, Kim Won-i, Kim Ju-young, Lee Yong-sun, Lee Hae-sik, Kwak Sang-eon, Kwon Hyang-yeop, Kim Nam-geun, Park Sun-won, Park Jung-hyun, Yoon Jong-gun, Lee Ju-hee, Lim Mi-ae, Jeon Jin-suk, and Heo Sung-moo—and the Korea River Restoration Network, which comprises 256 environmental and watershed conservation organizations nationwide.
Rep. Yeom Tae-young, who serves as co-chair, said, “This pilgrimage is a journey to restore the ecology and natural character of the Namhan River and to reconnect the relationship between people and the river,” adding, “Through the walk from the river’s source to Dumulmeori, we will share the values of life, peace, and coexistence, and widely raise awareness of the need for sustainable river conservation and a transition to an ecological civilization in the era of climate crisis.”
The pilgrimage begins with a source ceremony at Geomnyongso in Taebaek at 1:30 p.m. on the 21st, then passes through Taebaek–Jeongseon–Yeongwol–Danyang–Chungju–Yeoju–Yangpyeong over eight days, visiting each region’s wetlands, ecological sites, and historic landmarks.
A variety of side events are also planned, including a Jeongseon Arirang ‘raftsmen’ performance, the Namhan River National Forum, meetings with local residents, and a discussion on the ‘Basic Act on Walking Travel Routes.’ Any citizen can participate in the entire course or by section, and applications can be made on the official platform (https://woorigang.or.kr/).