Korea-Japan friendship walk due this weekend

An international friendship walk to commemorate Korean and Japan`s co-hosting of the 2002 soccer World Cup will take place along the beaches of the port city of

Sogwipo, Cheju Province on Saturday and Sunday.

The two-day event is also the tenth of 20 Korea-Japan Friendship Walk, held in the cities that are slated to host World Cup matches. It is co-organized by Sogwipo

City, Korea Athletic Promotion Association, the Dong-a Ilbo and the Asahi Shimbun of Japan.

The event, which began in 1999 under the name Cheju Rape Flower Walk Festival, was upgraded to an international gathering last year.

The first-day competition on Saturday will take place on a 15-kilometer course that begins at Sogwi High School and covers the World Cup stadium, Pobhwan

beaches and Woedolgae rock.

The second-day event will feature three different courses of 10km, 20km and 30km, passing through the southern regions of Cheju Island.

Participation fee is 3,000 for adults and 2,000 won for students. For further information, call the Korea Athletic Promotion Association at 02-849-7077:

http://www.walking.or.kr) or the tourism promotion department of Sogwipo City Hall at 064-735-3544).

Meanwhile, the association and Boram Tour Agency (02-2248-7040) are offering a special tour package for the convenience of participants. The two-day program

costs 193,000 won, while the three-day package is priced at 261,000 won, both covering airfare and lodging fees.

Jeon Chang jeon@donga.com