The Government Of South Korea Launches 10-Million-Dollar “Slow Hiking” Campaign; Hikers Encouraged To Slow Down And Enjoy Their Journey To The Top
In South Korea, the government has launched a $10 million campaign called "Slow Hiking," which encourages the people to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy every moment of the hike as they head to the mountaintop.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday the campaign is launched to target the issue of stressful living in South Korea as their workforce is considered workaholic with the least number of days off availed annually as compared to other developed nations and even resulting to excessive alcohol drinking.
And with the Koreans' effort to de-stress, popular mountain trails became over crowded with hikers of all ages as they rush to the mountaintops to take photos and quickly make their way down after.
According to NPR in their article reported on July 19, one in three Koreans goes on a hiking adventure for more than once in a month. For Koreans in their 40s and 50s, hiking to them is more about social interaction than it is about physical exercise and nature appreciation.
"Koreans are such competitive people, and it's hard to turn off the switch when they go hiking," said the official behind "Slow Hiking" campaign Kang Tong Ik.
The South Korean peninsula is made up of 75 percent mountains, which allegedly have a spiritual importance for the people.
"Mountains are very much integrated into the Korean identity," explained a professor at Seoul's Chung-Ang University David Mason.
According to Mason his Korean friends' attitude toward hiking is: "Let's rush to the peak as fast as we can, and then get back to Seoul."
The "Slow Hiking" campaign will assign staffers at popular trailheads equipped with boards and flyers that promote a different view and approach to hiking contrary to the "peak-centricism" of most hikers.
"Our goal is to build a culture where people can come to a mountain, enjoy it and leave with satisfaction," said Kang.