120 Kookmin students came back safely from a 393.6km long march through the country. They marched fromCheonan to Mt.Halla in Jeju struggling with the terrible heat in the month of August. I’ll tell you about the great experience of their 16-day march.

‘Kookmin Long March Through the Country’
The 7th annual Kookmin march was designed to remind us of the meaning of independence and the success of the spirit of Korea’s provisional government. Despite the tough standard, such as a letter of self-introduction, great attitude, a health test of climbing Mt. Bukhan, the selection of the members was highly competitive, at around 24:1 odds. Of the members who were chosen, 120 finished all of the routes, includingIndependence Hall in Mokchon, Nonsan, Jeonju, Jeongeup, Gwangju, Yeongam, Wando, JeJu, and Incheon port.

Only Kookmin people can do it!
After walking for 13 days, climbing from Jeju Port to the top of Mr. Halla, the Kookmin University members were able to hold a ceremony at Independence Hall.Seeing thewater coveringthe flying Korean flag in the heavy rain was such a great feeling. They made a white rain cover to remind them of the meaning of independence.

We meet some of the Kookmin members who have a bit darker skin because of the march.

What's the reason why you applied for this march?
Jin: Normally, I enjoy traveling but I think this chance to walk with Kookmin students didn’t come around easily, so I decided to participate in it.
Ji: Fermentation Fusion Science and Technology is a new department so it’s not easy to meet many friends. That’s why I want to participate: to get many new friends. Thanks to this march, I got many friends like Yu Jun who are from other departments.

When was the hardest time?
Ho: The leader has to care for every member’s walking pose from the back of thegroup. I always shouted to keep their walk. Maybe some of them might hate me. However, for keeping everyone’s security I became like the devil. It was so hard to be like that because it’s not my usual personality.
Ji: By the sixth day, my ankle was so painful. BlistersareOK but my ankle was so painful. However, I was thinking of the people who had more pain than I did, so I was crying and holding hands with a man of our group as I was going to the camp.

What's the most memorable thing?
Ho: The members! I felt so bad to see members who tried to bear the pain of their legs by taking painkillers, or holding a handkerchief in their mouths. We had to do those sorts of things so we could finish the walk.
Ji: Water! It was very hard to control drinking water because I usually get hot so fast. Also, for the girls, shower time was like a war in the camp because we had to wash our clothes and shower within a limited time. I felt that water was precious.

Do you have any interesting stories?
Ho: On the second day, after arriving at the camp and finishing all showers, the rain suddenlycame. With so little time to move many things in tent to outside we had to set up the tent in the rain, and then fell asleep with our clothes on. Now I can laugh telling the story, but at that time, it was so terrible.
Jin: One of our groups sang a song in a contest and got an ice cream as a prize. I thought they would give all members of the group ice cream. That was what I thought would happen. Eventually, all 30members of my group shared the ice cream together.
Ji: When we all took a rest in camp, the leader suddenly popped up with the song ‘F(X)-Hot Summer’. He said that if our groups danced with this songhe would give us watermelon, so one of our groups danced and got watermelon. Also, the leader danced too because every member cheered for it so much.

The memorable sight
Jin: I remember when we marched through the flowers with the breeze from the river when we passed Non San Bridge. I can’t even explain how it feels flying a flag.

How are you different after finishing the march?
Ji: I usually oversleep in the morning. Due to the habits of the march, I now open my eyes earlier. Also, I have confidence about walking. I’m so proud of myself.

If you expressed the march in five letters,what would you say?
Ho: The march with vomit (each team had only 15min. to take a shower so was impossible to wash completely.While walking we would feel “do I have this awful smell?”)
Jin: The march with life (a time for looking at myself)
Ji: A new start (through the march,we had a new start in life)

Kookmin member’s bravery for 16 days was great. They finished the walk even though their feet were hurt and bleeding and they wanted to give up their 10kg bags. They finished it because they thought:“We are not alone, we walk together."The members realized they are stronger on the road. Also, Kookmin people’s challenge doesn’t stop here. This time it’s you turn. Kookmin people! Take the challenge without hesitating!