Prosthetic-Supported Trekker Completes 510km DMZ Traverse

Lee Beom-sik, also known as 'Left Foot Doctor', who has no arms and uses a prosthetic for his right leg, completed an arduous journey along the DMZ. The trek spanned 510 kilometers from Goseong in Gangwon Province to Ganghwa in Incheon, accumulating a total of 906,969 steps. Lee embarked on this walk on the 15th of last month, navigating the DMZ border areas. The expedition faced challenging conditions, including extreme heat and heavy rainfall, while Lee endured continuous pain and injuries to the area fitted with his prosthetic leg. Despite these hardships, he persevered, reaching his destination in Ganghwa a month later. This walk was undertaken with the hope of reconnecting severed paths and fostering peace, symbolizing a desire for reunification. Lee collected seawater from the East Sea at the start of his journey and plans to mix it with seawater from the West Sea upon arrival, representing unity. He previously walked approximately 400 kilometers from Gwangju to Gyeongju last year, symbolizing 'connection' for the APEC summit. Lee lost both his arms and his right leg due to an electrical accident at the age of 22, necessitating the use of a prosthetic for mobility. He later earned a Ph.D. in vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities. Lee stated that even with severe disabilities, persistent effort can provide others with a reason to live and a source of courage.