Culture Expedition

“Opportunities have presented themselves. I have a challenging spirit, zeal, and faith.”

On the morning of July 9, 128 university students were present at the departure ceremony for the “2007 NC Soft Culture Expedition” at Seoul plaza in front of Seoul City Hall.

The ceremony was also attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, NC Soft CEO Kim Taek-jin, Chairman of Dong-A newspaper Kim Hak-jun, and Dongkuk University President Oh Young-kyo.

Chairman Park Young-seok of the World Exploration Association, in charge of the expedition, said that highly motivated and willing students were selected out of 2000 applicants. He also said that this would serve as an opportunity for them to better understand themselves in order to overcome hardship.

Seoul Mayor, Oh Se-hoon, also said that he was proud of the students taking on the challenge despite the expected difficulties and asked them to finish the race safely and soundly with a sense of community and cooperation.

This year marks the fourth anniversary of the culture expedition (jointly organized by the Seoul Metropolitan government, NC Soft and managed by Park Young-seok of the World Exploration Association, sponsored by Dong-A Ilbo, SBS, and Northface).

The 128-member expedition started their 20-day journey yesterday and will march on foot about 480 kilometers from Busan to Seoul, following the Youngnam Broadway in the southern part of the Korean peninsula in the footsteps of the cultural delegation that traveled the route during the Chosun Dynasty.

The expedition, after the departure ceremony, will move to Busan, the starting point, where they will spend one night; they will then begin their journey, crossing Kyeongju, Youngcheon, Andong, Munkyeong, Chungju, Yongin and back to Seoul City Hall on July 27.

A participant named Lim Song-hak (27) said that it is not just a backpacking trip for individuals. He plans to learn values and build relationships with the other participants during the expedition.

Cho Eun-hye (26), currently on summer vacation, said that she wanted to test herself in extreme conditions of sweltering weather and physical pain, thereby maturing as a person.

The expedition is planning to contribute 100 won for every one kilometer marched to a disabled child.

creating@donga.com