Continuous Steps of Kingos
The 2023 Sungkyungwan University (SKKU) Kingo Walkathon, operated by the student council SKKUP, was held again after last year when the walkathon reopened as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subsided. The event, first held in 2008, covered 600km on Dokdo Island for 14 nights and 15 days. While cultivating the spirit of self-control and willpower has been emphasized in previous walkathons, the reopened walkathon changed its theme to achieving harmony. Beginning with Jeju City on July 4th, the 2023 Walkathon spread across cities such as Gimnyeong, Seongsan, Seogwipo City, and Marado Island, for seven nights and eight days. On the third day, President Yoo Jibeom and other school officials joined the participants to encourage them on their journey from Gimnyeong City to Seongsan City. He remarked, “I am proud of the students for building their integrity despite the heatwave.” In response to this, Cho Jun-beom, the president of the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus (HSSC) Student Council, expressed his hope that the members would walk together amid the nation’s breathtaking landscapes, taking some time to unwind and exercise. Through talent shows and group discussions about the environment, Kingos who took part in the 2023 Walkathon made priceless memories along the way. Kim Se-rim (Freshman, Engineering), who joined the walkathon, said, “I learned a lot by watching how team members encouraged each other throughout the expedition.”
Moving Forward with Kingos
The Kingo Walkathon last year, which was resumed for the first time following COVID-19, was criticized for its inadequate program composition. The 2023 Kingo Walkathon, in contrast, demonstrated a significant improvement by adopting feedback and delighted the students. Kim Min-ki (Senior, Department of Sociology) stated, “The student council seemed to have prepared for all possible issues, and they handled every circumstance with ease.” Moreover, the council’s thorough pre-inspection regarding the accommodations contributed to the satisfaction of the participants. The team leaders and the executive committee also consistently made an effort to ensure their health and safety. Even the best memories, though, still leave room for improvement. To begin with, most of the meals were served by the same company, and there were complaints about the quality of the meals. As the same complaint was made last year, questions were raised about why the feedback has not led to change. Additionally, although challenging to accomplish, providing tables and chairs during mealtimes would have been ideal. Taking this feedback into consideration, the future Kingo Walkathon would hopefully satisfy Kingos and allow them to grow further.
