800 Sejong citizens to walk for mental health at Central Park on November 14

The Daejeon-Sejong-Chungnam Regional Headquarters of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) will host the "2026 Mind Health Walking Festival" on November 14, bringing together 800 Sejong citizens at Sejong Central Park and the National Arboretum. Participants will walk a 5-kilometer course through the Sejong National Arboretum while completing health missions at designated checkpoints, such as promoting the suicide prevention counseling hotline and providing cancer screening information, nurturing both physical and mental well-being simultaneously. This event is expected to raise public awareness about the importance of health management by linking walking with diverse interactive programs, while fostering a culture of respect for life within the local community.

The autumn scenery of Sejong City will serve as the backdrop for a walking event dedicated to caring for both body and mind.

Organized by the NHIS Daejeon-Sejong-Chungnam Regional Headquarters (Head Lee Kyung-ran), the "2026 Mind Health Walking Festival" will take place from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on November 14 at the Urban Festival Plaza in Sejong Central Park and the Sejong National Arboretum.

Under the banner of "National Health REBOOT," the event is designed to add vitality to daily life by combining walking with interactive experiences. Guided by the message, "One step at a time, a lighter mind," the program welcomes everyone—from individual walkers to families and group participants.

The event is open to all Sejong citizens, with a pre-registration capacity of 800 people. The primary walking course covers 5 kilometers through the Sejong National Arboretum area, concluding back at Central Park. By linking experience checkpoints along the course with booths at the main venue, the event offers participants opportunities to reflect on health while walking.

At the 1.09-kilometer mark after departure, participants will take part in a mission to remember "109," the suicide prevention counseling hotline. At the 2.40-kilometer point, they will encounter a 24-second breathing exercise symbolizing round-the-clock mind care, alongside a program to check in on family, friends, and colleagues. At the 3.65-kilometer checkpoint, walkers will leave messages practicing year-round health management, while the final 5-kilometer mark highlights the importance of the five major cancer screenings.

The starting point of the event is the Urban Festival Plaza (lawn square). Participant check-in begins at 8:30 AM on the day of the event, and pre-registered attendees can proceed to the pre-registration booth upon arrival for instructions.

The schedule kicks off with a pre-opening performance at 9:00 AM, followed by an opening ceremony at 9:20 AM featuring a calligraphy performance and warm-up stretching. The walking departure is scheduled for 10:12 AM. Participants will set off sequentially to engage in the walk and experiential programs, wrapping up the event at 1:00 PM when the exhibition booths close.

Walkers can continue exploring the booths upon returning to the venue, allowing them to experience both the walk and the on-site programs together. However, the program schedule and detailed timing are based on the operational plan and may be adjusted depending on on-site conditions on the day of the event.

Participation applications are accepted via the Naver Form linked through the QR code on the poster at the top of the screen or the event information website. Individuals can use the single-applicant application form, while families and groups can use a separate form accommodating up to 5 people. Those participating together should carefully verify the number of applicants and participant information according to the designated form.

Registration status and confirmation must also be checked through the instructions on the application form. Although the website lists a pre-registration limit of 800 participants, on-site recruitment may be operated depending on conditions on the day. Walk-ins without prior registration are not guaranteed participation, and visitors should first check the availability of the on-site registration booth.

Detailed maps of the 5-kilometer walking course will be finalized and announced at a later date. Comprehensive information regarding parking lots and public transportation will also be released once confirmed. Citizens planning to participate should check the website for additional updates prior to the event and move according to the on-site routes on the day.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Welfare Center for the Disabled, and the Sejong Marathon Club are listed as sponsors of the event, with operations managed by Go-E Co., Ltd.

Participation applications and detailed schedules can be found on the "National Health REBOOT" event website (https://reboot-walk-2026.netlify.app).

"We hope this walking festival serves as an opportunity for citizens to care for their physical and mental health while looking out for the well-being of their families and neighbors," emphasized Head Lee Kyung-ran. "We will continue to collaborate with the local community to expand health promotion activities that citizens can directly experience and spread a culture that respects life."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]