Former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Yong-ho has received a plaque of appreciation from the National Barefoot Walking Movement Headquarters for his contributions to expanding barefoot walking infrastructure in Seoul and promoting public health.
The organization presented the plaque to Kim at the office of the Yongsan-gu Small Business Association on Wednesday. National Barefoot Walking Movement Headquarters President Park Dong-chang and other executives attended the ceremony.
Park said the award recognized Kim's work as a standing adviser to the organization, citing his efforts to popularize the barefoot walking movement, promote public health and spread an eco-friendly leisure culture.
Kim served as vice chairman of the Urban Safety and Construction Committee of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council, where he worked to secure budgets and policy support for expanding barefoot walking infrastructure across Seoul — including barefoot trails at Ichon Han River Park and Yongsan Family Park. He supported construction of a 1.8-kilometer masato barefoot trail along the entire "Poplar Forest Path" at Ichon Han River Park, and contributed to a 1.0-kilometer loess and masato trail at Yongsan Family Park.
Kim also helped secure funding and administrative support for the "3rd K-Barefoot Walking Seoul Festival," held in May at Yongsan Family Park, helping lay the policy groundwork for broader barefoot walking culture.
"Barefoot walking is a healthy lifestyle activity that any citizen can practice in their daily life," Kim said. "I will continue to support efforts to spread barefoot walking culture and create an environment where citizens can restore their health in nature."
The National Barefoot Walking Movement Headquarters said it plans to continue working with local governments and relevant agencies to spread the barefoot walking movement nationwide and establish it as part of everyday culture.
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