Lakeside Peace Walk brings global taekwondo community in Chuncheon

Around 500 global taekwondo family members and local residents joined the inaugural Chuncheon Peace Walk along Uiam Lake in Chuncheon on Thursday. The event was co-hosted by GCS International, World Taekwondo, The Korea Times, Chuncheon City and the Chuncheon Leisure Taekwondo Organizing Committee. It was held alongside the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and marked the 45th anniversary of the U.N. International Day of Peace. Participants walked 4 kilometers from Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena to the Uiamho Skywalk.

The walk began at 10 a.m. from the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena and ended at the Uiamho Skywalk over Uiam Lake.

Every participant received a commemorative key ring and local refreshments at the finish line.

The championships tied to the event ran through Sunday at the Songam Sports Town Airdome and featured national team athletes from 85 countries on the second day.

Chuncheon broke ground on Tuesday for a new World Taekwondo headquarters at Songam Sports Town, with completion scheduled for 2028.

Published Sep 18, 2026 11:32 am KST

Updated Sep 18, 2026 11:54 am KST

Participants pose prior to departure of the Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Around 500 global taekwondo family members and local residents walked side by side along the scenic shores of Uiam Lake in Chuncheon, Thursday, stepping outside the arena to share a message of unity and peace.

The inaugural Chuncheon Peace Walk was co-hosted by Goodwill Cooperation Service (GCS) International, World Taekwondo, The Korea Times, Chuncheon City and the Chuncheon Leisure Taekwondo Organizing Committee.

Choue Chung-won, president of World Taekwondo, delivers a congratulatory speech during the 2026 Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Organized to complement the ongoing 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, which runs through Sunday at the Songam Sports Town Airdome, the event offered participants a refreshing break from the intense indoor competitions. The walk also commemorated the 45th anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Peace, observed annually on Sept. 21.

Choue Chung-won, center front row, president of World Taekwondo, and other participants set off during the Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Starting at 10 a.m. from the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena, participants enjoyed an easy 4-kilometer walk to the Uiamho Skywalk, a glass view platform over the calm waters of Uiam Lake. Upon crossing the finish line, every participant received a commemorative key ring along with local refreshments.

Yuk Dong-han, mayor of Chuncheon, gives a congratulatory address during the 2026 Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The festivities continued throughout the morning as attendees watched a high-energy performance by the World Taekwondo Performance Team and explored interactive expo booths featuring virtual reality taekwondo experiences. Many then returned to the nearby airdome to watch the second day of the championships, featuring national team athletes from 85 countries.

Choue Chung-won, left, president of World Taekwondo, and Suh Joo-hwan, president of GCS International Korea Chapter, look at a course map board during the Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Key leaders joined the crowd on the walking path, including Choue Chung-won, president of World Taekwondo, Suh Joo-hwan, president of GCS International Korea Chapter, Chuncheon Mayor Yook Dong-han and vice presidents and council members of World Taekwondo.

Members of the World Taekwondo Performance Team showcase a dynamic demonstration during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Choue emphasized the deep humanitarian significance and unifying spirit of the gathering along the scenic lake.

"On the occasion of the Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and to mark the 45th U.N. International Day of Peace, it was inspiring to see participants from all around the world come together to take part in the Chuncheon Peace Walk," Choue said.

"This event reflects the unifying spirit of Taekwondo, bringing people together across nationality, culture and language in pursuit of a shared vision of peace. I hope the friendships formed along the beautiful Uiam Lake will endure long after the Championships have concluded, and that they inspire all of us to keep building bridges of understanding around the world."

Yook also highlighted the city's historic connection to international solidarity and its future aspirations.

"Chuncheon is a city with deep scars from the 1950-53 Korean War, and we remember the sacrifices made by nations around the world. As we prepare to welcome the new World Taekwondo headquarters and become a global capital for martial arts, we will fulfill the duty and responsibility given to our city."

Participants begin the Chuncheon Peace Walk at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The International Day of Peace holds a historic connection to the organization, having been first proposed to the U.N. in 1981 by GCS International founder Choue Young-seek, the late father of the World Taekwondo president.

World Taekwondo, together with GCS International, previously held a World Peace Walkathon on Jeju, the “Island of World Peace," in 2018 prior to the Jeju Korea Open tournament.

Meanwhile, Chuncheon broke ground on Tuesday for the new World Taekwondo headquarters at Songam Sports Town, which is scheduled for completion in 2028.

周四，约500名来自全球跆拳道大家庭的成员和当地居民齐聚春川义岩湖畔，参加了首届春川和平步行活动。此次活动由GCS国际、世界跆拳道联盟、《韩国时报》、春川市政府和春川休闲跆拳道组委会联合主办，与2026年世界跆拳道品势锦标赛同期举行，并纪念联合国国际和平日45周年。参与者从松岩体育城轮滑场出发，步行4公里到达义岩湖空中步道。

步行活动于上午 10 点从松岩体育城轮滑场开始，终点是乌伊安湖上的乌伊安霍空中步道。

每位参赛者在终点线都获得了纪念钥匙扣和当地特色小吃。

与该赛事相关的锦标赛在松岩体育城室内体育馆举行，一直持续到周日，第二天有来自 85 个国家的国家队运动员参赛。

春川周二在松岩体育城为新的世界跆拳道总部举行了奠基仪式，预计将于 2028 年竣工。

发布于2026年9月18日上午11:32（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月18日上午11:54（韩国标准时间）

周四，在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场，春川和平步行活动的参与者在出发前合影留念。（韩国时报 沈贤哲 摄）

周四，约 500 名来自世界各地的跆拳道大家庭成员和当地居民并肩走在春川义岩湖风景秀丽的湖岸边，走出体育馆，传递团结与和平的信息。

首届春川和平步行活动由国际友好合作服务组织（GCS International）、世界跆拳道联盟、韩国时报、春川市政府和春川休闲跆拳道组织委员会联合主办。

世界跆拳道协会会长赵正元周四在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场举行的2026年春川和平步行活动上发表祝贺致辞。韩国时报摄影师沈贤哲摄

为配合正在松岩体育城室内体育馆举行的2026年世界跆拳道品势锦标赛（比赛将持续到周日），此次活动为参赛者提供了一个从紧张的室内比赛中放松身心的机会。此次健走活动也纪念了联合国国际和平日45周年，该节日每年9月21日举行。

周四，在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场，世界跆拳道协会会长赵正元（前排中）与其他参与者一起参加了春川和平步行活动。韩国时报摄影师沈贤哲摄。

上午10点，参与者从松岩体育城轮滑场出发，轻松步行4公里到达乌伊安湖空中步道，这是一个俯瞰乌伊安湖平静湖面的玻璃观景台。到达终点后，每位参与者都获得了纪念钥匙扣和当地特色小吃。

周四，在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场举行的2026年春川和平步行活动上，春川市市长陆东汉致贺词。韩国时报摄影师沈贤哲摄。

整个上午，庆祝活动持续进行，与会者观看了世界跆拳道表演队的精彩表演，并参观了提供虚拟现实跆拳道体验的互动展位。随后，许多人返回附近的室内体育馆观看锦标赛第二天的比赛，来自85个国家的国家队运动员参加了比赛。

周四，在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场举行的春川和平步行活动中，世界跆拳道协会会长赵正元（左）和GCS国际韩国分会会长徐柱焕正在查看路线图。照片由《韩国时报》沈贤哲拍摄。

包括世界跆拳道协会主席赵正元、GCS国际韩国分会主席徐柱焕、春川市市长陆东汉以及世界跆拳道协会副主席和理事在内的重要领导人加入了步行道上的人群。

周四，在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场举行的2026年春川和平步行闭幕式上，世界跆拳道表演队成员进行了精彩的跆拳道表演。韩国时报摄影师沈贤哲摄。

周先生强调了此次在风景秀丽的湖边举行的聚会所具有的深刻人道主义意义和团结精神。

“值此2026年春川世界跆拳道品势锦标赛之际，也为纪念第45个联合国国际和平日，看到来自世界各地的参与者齐聚一堂参加春川和平步行活动，令人深受鼓舞，”赵先生说道。

“本次赛事体现了跆拳道的团结精神，它将不同国籍、文化和语言的人们聚集在一起，共同追求和平的愿景。我希望在美丽的乌伊阿姆湖畔建立的友谊，在锦标赛结束后依然长存，并激励我们所有人继续在世界各地搭建理解的桥梁。”

尤克还强调了该市与国际团结的历史联系及其未来愿景。

“春川是一座饱受1950-53年朝鲜战争创伤的城市，我们铭记世界各国为此做出的牺牲。在我们准备迎接新的世界跆拳道总部并成为全球武术之都之际，我们将履行这座城市肩负的职责和责任。”

周四，参与者在江原道春川市松岩体育城轮滑场开始春川和平步行活动。韩国时报 沈贤哲摄

国际和平日与该组织有着历史渊源，它最初是由 GCS International 的创始人赵英锡（世界跆拳道协会主席已故的父亲）于 1981 年向联合国提出的。

世界跆拳道协会曾与 GCS 国际组织于 2018 年在“世界和平之岛”济州岛举办世界和平步行马拉松，为济州韩国公开赛做准备。

与此同时，春川周二在松岩体育城为新的世界跆拳道总部举行了奠基仪式，该项目计划于 2028 年竣工。