As South Korea continues to grapple with the challenges posed by an aging population, two local governments are stepping up their efforts to promote dementia prevention and foster community awareness through the simple act of walking. This April, Yeosu City and Yeongam-gun are each hosting their own versions of the 'One Mind Dementia Overcoming Walking Event,' inviting residents to lace up their sneakers, take to the parks and streets, and stride toward better health—and better understanding of dementia.
Yeosu City has announced that on April 10, 2026, at 9:30 AM, the city will host the '2026 One Mind Dementia Overcoming Walking Event' at Mipyeong Park. According to reporting from Netongs, the event is designed as a 2-kilometer walking course that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Participation is capped at 200 people, with spots filled on a first-come, first-served basis—and, notably, there is no entry fee. "Dementia is a disease where prevention and management are more important than anything else," a city official told Netongs. "We hope this walking event offers an opportunity for citizens to walk together, communicate, and broaden the social consensus on overcoming dementia."
But Yeosu isn’t the only community getting residents moving for a cause. Just a few days later, from April 13 to April 19, Yeongam-gun will operate its own weeklong 'One Mind Dementia Overcoming Walking Event,' this one focusing on a cumulative step challenge. As reported by the Yeongnam Ilbo, the event encourages participants to walk a total of 49,000 steps over seven days—a target that organizers call 'Walking Together 49,000 Steps.' This goal, they say, is both ambitious and attainable, meant to inspire consistent daily movement. Anyone interested in joining can simply install the 'WalkOn' smartphone app, join the Yeongam-gun Dementia Safety Center community, and track their progress. Each day, up to 8,000 steps are counted toward the challenge, and those who reach the total within the week are considered successful. The first 200 to hit their mark will receive a small souvenir as a token of accomplishment.
Both events share a common mission: to promote health and raise social awareness about dementia prevention through accessible, everyday activities. In Yeosu, the walking event is paired with free early dementia screening services, so participants can not only get their steps in but also check up on their cognitive health. This dual approach—physical activity and proactive health checks—reflects a growing recognition that preventing dementia requires both movement and mindfulness. The Yeosu city official emphasized, "We hope this walking event offers an opportunity for citizens to walk together, communicate, and broaden the social consensus on overcoming dementia."
In Yeongam-gun, the focus is on integrating healthy habits into daily life. Lee Hee-sook, director of the Yeongam-gun Public Health Center and Dementia Safety Center, told the Yeongnam Ilbo, "Walking is the most effective dementia prevention method that anyone can easily practice. We hope this event becomes a time for families and neighbors to walk together, protecting both health and memory." The event’s structure—spread over a week and leveraging a smartphone app—makes it easy for busy residents to participate without having to gather at a specific place or time. It’s a clever way to bring people together, even if they’re walking apart.
Of course, the events also offer a little extra motivation. In both Yeosu and Yeongam-gun, the first 200 participants to complete the challenge will receive a small commemorative gift. While the prizes are modest, organizers hope that the real reward will be in the habits formed and the conversations sparked about dementia and how to prevent it.
Why walking? Both local governments point to a growing body of research suggesting that regular physical activity, especially walking, can help reduce the risk of dementia and slow cognitive decline. The World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s associations worldwide have echoed these findings, recommending moderate exercise as a key pillar of dementia prevention. Walking is especially attractive as a public health intervention because it requires no special equipment, can be done almost anywhere, and is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
But the importance of these events goes beyond the individual health benefits. South Korea, like many developed countries, faces a rapidly aging population and an associated rise in dementia cases. According to national health statistics, dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older adults, placing significant emotional and financial strain on families and communities. Public campaigns like these aim to break down the stigma surrounding dementia, encourage early detection, and promote a culture where prevention and support are part of daily life.
The events are also carefully designed to foster social connection. In Yeosu, the walk is not just about the physical act but about walking together—literally and figuratively—toward a common goal. The hope is that as residents stroll through Mipyeong Park, they’ll strike up conversations, share stories, and build the sense of community that is so vital for both mental and physical well-being. Similarly, in Yeongam-gun, the weeklong challenge encourages families and neighbors to support each other, making the journey toward 49,000 steps a shared experience.
For participants, the benefits are immediate: a chance to get outside, move their bodies, and connect with others. For the broader community, the impact may be even greater. By making dementia prevention a topic of public conversation—and by tying it to a positive, inclusive activity—these events help shift perceptions and encourage more people to take proactive steps for their health.
As the dates approach, local officials are urging residents to sign up early—spots are limited, especially in Yeosu, where only the first 200 will be able to join the park walk. In Yeongam-gun, while anyone can participate in the step challenge via the app, only the first 200 to reach the goal will receive a souvenir, adding a friendly sense of competition to the proceedings.
Whether walking in a group through a city park or tracking steps on a smartphone over the course of a week, participants in these events are taking more than just literal steps—they’re helping to pave the way for a future where dementia is better understood, less stigmatized, and, hopefully, less common. It’s a small stride for each individual, but together, it could mean a big leap for community health and awareness.
As organizers in both Yeosu and Yeongam-gun see it, these events are about more than just exercise—they’re about coming together, learning, and taking action to protect what matters most: our health, our memories, and our sense of community.