Ecology, healing and cultural programs led by expert guides at 16 national parks, all free of charge throughout October

A scene from "The Miracle of Meeting Wild Finless Porpoises — Smiling Above the Sea," led by interpreter Shin Dal-ho of the Hallyeohaesang Maritime office (left), and "A Caterpillar's Dream," led by interpreter Kang Sin-yeong of the Jirisan North Jeolla Province office (right). [Korea National Park Service]
A scene from "The Miracle of Meeting Wild Finless Porpoises — Smiling Above the Sea," led by interpreter Shin Dal-ho of the Hallyeohaesang Maritime office (left), and "A Caterpillar's Dream," led by interpreter Kang Sin-yeong of the Jirisan North Jeolla Province office (right). [Korea National Park Service]

The Korea National Park Service, an agency under the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, announced Tuesday it will offer its "22 Premium National Park Guided Programs" free of charge throughout October, combining the parks' natural resources with distinctive hands-on experiences.

Running at 16 national park offices and eco-tourism centers across the country, the programs were designed to meet growing demand from visitors seeking deeper experiences and personal renewal beyond conventional participation-focused tours.

A defining feature of the initiative is that the programs are planned and led by park interpreters who have spent years building expertise in the field.

The 22 programs are divided into three themes so visitors can choose according to their interests: ecology and exploration (eight programs), healing and recovery (nine programs), and unique culture (five programs).

The ecology and exploration category offers a range of experiences, from wildlife surveys to stargazing under night skies.

At Hallyeohaesang Maritime National Park, a guide who has spent four years tracking finless porpoise migration routes leads a "wild finless porpoise survey" focused on observing mothers and calves. At Bukhansan's Sagimak campsite, visitors can observe stars through an astronomical telescope in a program called "Turn Off the Lights, Turn On the Stars!"

Other nature-focused experiences include listening to birdsong and observing insect ecology at Jirisan, learning about ecosystem cycles at Naejangsan, and exploring salt marsh and sand dune plants along the Dadohae Maritime coastline.

The healing and recovery category invites visitors to care for body and mind through silence and meditation in forest settings.

Representative programs include "Green Comfort: Let the Forest Rest Your Mind" at Chiaksan, "Log In to the Forest" at Bukhansan, and "A Journey Through Namcheon Forest — A Comma for the Heart" at Sobaeksan, all making use of woodland and valley environments.

At Jirisan, visitors can find rest in nature, while Naejangsan offers healing through sound and scent. Additional experiences include a tour of the Japanese bay laurel grove on the Byeonsanbando Peninsula paired with a seawater foot bath, and island and sea meditation at Hallyeohaesang.

The unique culture category draws attention by blending local ecological and cultural resources with sign-language interpretation.

At Jirisan, programs include sign-language guided tours for visitors with hearing impairments, cultural heritage photography, and ecological and mountain safety experiences. Naejangsan features "Immortal Ssanghwacha," a program centered on Jeongeup's traditional specialty tea, while Hallyeohaesang offers a trivia-style program introducing the region's nature and culture, titled "A Useful Encyclopedia of Hallyeohaesang."

Individuals wishing to join the 22 Premium National Park Guided Programs can register in advance through the national park reservation system and participate free of charge.

Ju Dae-yeong, chairman of the Korea National Park Service, said the programs represent "a special guided service that distills the pride and field experience of our national park interpreters," adding that he hopes visitors "will create special memories amid the beautiful nature of our national parks."


thlee@heraldcorp.com