From coastal cleanup to rail facility tour, program combines local and railway strengths to expand community outreach
An experiential community service program combining the strengths of local communities and the railway sector came to the Chungcheong region.
The Korea Rail Network Authority announced Wednesday that its volunteer corps had carried out a Chungcheong-area "voluntour" with children from the Daejeon Dong-gu Community Children's Center Federation and partner organizations including Sh Suhyup Bank.
The voluntour blends volunteering with tourism into an experiential community service program. After successfully running a railway voluntour along the Donghae Line last year, the authority expanded the initiative to the Chungcheong region this year, partnering with the Daejeon Dong-gu Community Children's Center Federation, Sh Suhyup Bank and the Taean Coastal National Park Office to design activities tailored to the area's character.
In the morning, participants took part in plogging — picking up litter while jogging — along the coast near Gomseom Island in Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province, collecting discarded waste and learning firsthand about marine environmental conservation.
In the afternoon, the group visited the authority's facility and equipment office in Osong-eup, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, where they toured a catenary-free tram and railway maintenance equipment, experiencing how rail facilities operate and are maintained. The visit also gave participants a closer look at the railway industry and a chance to explore future career paths.
"I hope the children will think about a better future through today's environmental protection activities, and nurture bigger dreams through their hands-on railway experience," acting authority chief Lee An-ho said. "We will continue to expand experiential community service that combines the strengths of local communities and the railway sector, creating real value for the next generation and for society."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
