New trans-Korea trail to open

New walking trails will connect various parts of Korea, including the seas off the east and west coasts, and parts of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), alongside existing ones. A nongovernmental team consisting of 12 experts in culture and tourism, regional culture, ecosystems and the environment held an inauguration ceremony Tuesday hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Korea Tourism Center, central Seoul.

The project, by following the example of successful trails already in place, is expected to develop various parts of the country with their own tourist brands.

Over the coming year, the team will study different paths available on the southern coast and work to establish named walking trails. It plans to give the trails formal names through a public contest.

“Traveling by foot will provide citizens with respite and time for revitalization,” a ministry official said. “I hope it will contribute to establishing balanced regional development and promoting local tourism industries.”