Following a quick health check-up, they were led through the forest to experience different therapy programs, including therapeutic walking and physical exercises, barefoot walking, and lying down for a view of the sky, all of which incorporated becoming one with nature. (image: Korea Forest Service)
YANGPYEONG, South Korea, Nov. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Forest Service gave foreign reporters Friday a familiarization tour of Yangpyeong’s Saneum Healing Forest.
Located within the Saneum National Recreational Forest, Saneum Healing Forest was established in 2009 as Korea’s first healing forest, offering various nature-driven therapy programs. The forest is comprised of several mountain trails at altitudes from 200 to 1,000 meters.
Friday’s tour, according to the KFS, was arranged to promote Korea’s forest welfare policy, using forest welfare to encourage health, happiness, and higher quality of life for citizens.
Upon arrival, the international participants were first introduced to the policy and the forest.
Following a quick health check-up, they were led through the forest to experience different therapy programs, including therapeutic walking and physical exercises, barefoot walking, and lying down for a view of the sky, all of which incorporated becoming one with nature.
The reporters were particularly interested in what is called “anion sound meditation”, which helps relax the body by focusing on natural noises – flowing streams, chirping mountain birds, and autumn winds.
“It was nice to experience Korean forest welfare at its first healing forest,” said Shi Lei Shan, from Chinese newspaper Legal Daily. “I certainly had a “healing” time through the program, and came to better understand the importance of forest welfare.”
“Today’s tour will give us the opportunity to introduce our forest welfare policy to a global audience,” said a KFS official. “We’ll continue our promotional efforts, and help raise the brand value of Korea’s natural heritage.”
The government plans to increase the number of healing forests to 42 by year 2020.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
