Korea's national parks offer 22 free guided programs in October

South Korea's national park service said Tuesday it will run 22 guided interpretation programs across its parks for the whole of October, free of charge.

The programs, run out of 16 national park offices and eco-tourism centers nationwide, were designed to meet demand from visitors seeking deeper experiences and healing rather than simple participation.

The interpreters themselves planned and will lead the programs, drawing on years of field experience and their own expertise in each park's ecology and culture.

The 22 programs are grouped into three themes: eight ecology and exploration programs, nine healing and recovery programs, and five culture and novelty programs.

Among the ecology and exploration offerings, Hallyeohaesang National Park will run a wild finless porpoise survey built on four years of observing and recording the animals' migration routes, letting visitors watch mothers and calves. Bukhansan's Sagimak campsite will host a night-sky program using telescopes, while other parks offer bird-song listening and insect observation on Jirisan, a look at ecosystem cycles on Naejangsan, and tours of salt-tolerant and dune plants on Dadohaehaesang.

The healing and recovery theme includes forest and valley rest programs on Chiaksan, Bukhansan and Sobaeksan, sound-and-scent therapy on Naejangsan, and a walk through a bay tree grove with seawater foot baths on Byeonsanbando and island and sea meditation on Hallyeohaesang.

The culture and novelty programs combine local resources with interpretation. On Jirisan, visitors can take part in sign-language guiding alongside deaf participants, photograph cultural heritage sites and try ecological and mountain safety exercises. Naejangsan offers a traditional local specialty drink, and Hallyeohaesang a tour of local lore.

Participants must book in advance through the national park reservation system and pay nothing to join, the agency said.

"These 22 programs are a special visitor service that concentrates the pride and field experience of national park interpreters," said Joo Dae-young, president of the National Park Service. "I hope people will make special memories in the beautiful nature of our national parks."