Incheon Special Olympics Korea hosts 'Together We Walk 2026' at UN Square in Songdo on Saturday; event features experience booths and performances by participants with developmental disabilities
Incheon's Songdo district brought together people with and without disabilities for a walk aimed at fostering mutual understanding and communication.
Incheon Special Olympics Korea hosted the "Together We Walk 2026" event at UN Square near Songdo Central Park Station on Saturday, drawing a large crowd.
About 3,000 people attended, including individuals with disabilities, their families and local residents.
Sponsored by the Incheon Metropolitan City government, the Incheon Metropolitan City Council and the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, participants walked together and took part in a range of programs throughout the day.
The event ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The opening ceremony was attended by Incheon Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor for Administration Kim Seong-jong, Incheon Metropolitan City Council Lawmaker Lee Gang-gu and Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education Elementary Education Division Chief Lee Jin-bae, each of whom delivered congratulatory remarks.
At the close of the opening ceremony, a special ceremony was held to express hopes for Incheon's bid to host the 2028 G20 Summit.
A variety of experience booths were set up at the venue for participants to enjoy together.
Through hands-on activities, attendees mingled naturally regardless of disability status, spending time communicating and connecting with one another.
Performances by participants with developmental disabilities drew particular attention. The performers showcased what they had prepared, delighting the audience and highlighting their talents in a meaningful display of inclusion.
The event was designed to go beyond a simple walk, creating a space where people with and without disabilities could participate and interact, building social empathy through understanding and respect for their differences.
The participation of diverse groups — including families of people with disabilities and local residents — made the occasion an opportunity to improve awareness about disability and reflect on the meaning of community integration.
"Thanks to the many citizens and families of people with disabilities who joined us, we were able to bring the event to a successful close," said Park Min-seo, chairman of Incheon Special Olympics Korea. "I hope this event served as an opportunity for people with and without disabilities to recognize and respect each other's differences, and to appreciate the value of a society where everyone belongs."
Park added that the organization would continue to create diverse opportunities for people with disabilities to demonstrate their talents as full members of the community and to engage alongside those without disabilities.
Meanwhile, Incheon Special Olympics Korea pursues a range of projects and activities aimed at promoting sports participation among people with disabilities, expanding opportunities for social inclusion and improving public awareness about disability.
The "Together We Walk" event conveyed a message of shared understanding and respect, calling on communities to build a society where everyone can live together without discrimination.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
