1,500 social welfare workers to walk Namsan in annual solidarity event

Some 1,500 social welfare workers and citizens will walk together on Namsan this autumn in a show of solidarity and community spirit, sharing values of giving and environmental stewardship.

The Seoul Social Welfare Council announced Tuesday that it will hold the 18th "2026 Seoul Social Welfare Walking Festival" at Baengnyeom Plaza in Namsan Park on Thursday at 2 p.m.

This year's event carries the slogan "Walking Together in Seoul, Steps Toward Tomorrow," with the subtitle "One Step Closer to People, One Step Lighter for the Earth." Social welfare workers, volunteers, donors, welfare facility users and citizens — 1,500 participants in all — are expected to take part.

The program includes an opening ceremony, the walk itself, cultural performances and public participation activities. The event opens with a sports dance performance and warm-up exercises, followed by remarks from the council chair, an address from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, congratulatory speeches from the chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Health and Welfare Committee and event sponsors, and a donation ceremony.

Starting at 2:30 p.m., participants will set off from Baengnyeom Plaza on a round-trip 3.2-kilometer route to a turnaround point at Jungbu Park and Leisure Center, completing the walk in about an hour. A celebratory performance by trot music singer Kim Ha-rin and a lucky-draw raffle will follow.

Corporate and public institution social-contribution activities will also feature. Seoul Metro will donate 20 million won ($15,000) to support the event and aid vulnerable groups. Of that amount, 10 million won will go toward helping energy-poor households prepare for winter cold snaps.

S-OIL, which has maintained ties with the council for more than a decade, will also contribute 10 million won to support the event. The two organizations' combined donations total 30 million won.

The venue will also feature programs that let participants experience the meaning of environmental protection and sharing. The signature "environmental tree" activity invites walkers to write pledges of environmental commitment on fallen leaves they collect along the route, which are then assembled to form a single tree.

Additional offerings include a wire-clay doll-making experience run by the Seoul branch of the Korean Red Cross, a Seoul Metro promotional booth and an events pavilion.

To honor the event's eco-friendly spirit, the council is encouraging participants to use public transportation. The venue is about a 12-minute walk from Exit 4 of Hoehyeon Station on subway Line 4, and about 15 minutes from Exit 8 of Seoul Station. No parking will be available.

"The Seoul Social Welfare Walking Festival is a place where social welfare workers who quietly do their jobs in the field and ordinary citizens can draw a little closer to one another," council chair Jo Nam-beom said. "I hope that as we walk Namsan together this autumn, we can connect with each other and share small acts of commitment to the planet."

The council expects the event to broaden exchanges between the social welfare sector and the public, and to strengthen cooperation with businesses and public institutions.

Admission is free. Participants can register in advance online or on the day of the event by scanning a QR code at the venue. Groups wishing to apply together may contact the council directly.