Korea-Japan Friendship Walk Slated for Sept.

A walking event to commemorate Korea and Japan co-hosting the 2002 World Cup finals will be held in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, in September. The event, dubbed ¡°Korea-Japan Friendship Walk,`` is sponsored jointly by the Dong-A Ilbo, Korea Sports Promotion Association, Japan`s Asahi Shinmun and the Japanese Walking Association.

The function, which will be the sixth, will cover the 20 Korean and Japanese cities staging the world soccer extravaganza, with Japan`s Yokohama, the venue for the final, being the final destination. The event was arranged in a bid to mend Korea-Japan relations which have seen their fair share of conflict and tension -- on the occasion of co-hosting the World Cup, as well as wishing for the success of the global soccer festival.

Sapporo, the city of snow and skiing, means a dry and big stream in the language of Ainu tribes who are natives of Hokkaido. Yet, the city is famous for its green landscape, with its approximately 2,000 parks of various sizes, the result of the Japanese government`s large-scale development projects, that kicked off in 1869. Since citizens there lead a life of style with a pioneer spirit, unfettered by old tradition, visitors can experience a unique Japan there. Applications are accepted at the Korea Sports Promotion Association (02-849-7077, 8401) until August 23.