Incheon Metropolitan City is ambitiously promoting the ‘Incheon 3.6.9. Walking Challenge’ to promote citizens' health and encourage daily walking practices. The challenge is returning with enhanced benefits and a lower participation threshold. The city will operate the ‘2nd Incheon 3.6.9. Walking Challenge’ for 21 days from May 7th to 27th and will provide various benefits to participating citizens, such as mobile gift certificates through a lottery.

The ‘Incheon 3.6.9. Walking Challenge’ is a walking promotion program based on the mobile app ‘Walk On,’ developed by Incheon Metropolitan City to support the formation of healthy lifestyle habits among citizens. The program name ‘3.6.9.’ signifies achieving a total of 90,000 steps by walking 6,000 steps a day for 3 weeks. This aims to encourage citizens to practice regular walking exercise in their daily lives without the burden of excessive goals.

This second challenge has improved its operation method based on the experience of the first challenge held in March and April to increase citizen participation. The first challenge received feedback that citizen participation was lower than expected due to the relatively long operating period of two months and a somewhat high target of 450,000 total steps. In response, Incheon City actively listened to citizens' opinions and significantly shortened the operating period to 21 days for this second challenge. It also lowered the daily target steps from 7,400 to 6,200 to lower the barrier to participation.

Citizens wishing to participate in the challenge can easily apply through the mobile app ‘Walk On’ from May 1st. Participants who achieve the target of a total of 130,000 steps over 21 days during the challenge period will be entered into a lottery to receive a mobile gift certificate worth 10,000 won. Incheon City plans to provide gift certificates to approximately 20,000 citizens through this second challenge, and it is expected that a total of about 89,000 people will benefit throughout the year. This is expected to have a positive impact not only on improving health but also on revitalizing the local economy, as citizens can use the gift certificates at various cultural facilities and shops within the region, boosting the local commercial district.

The ‘Incheon 3.6.9. Walking Challenge’ will continue to operate monthly until November, not just in May. Any citizen of Incheon can participate freely without any participation fee, and the city plans to support the formation of consistent walking habits among citizens with new goals and benefits each month.

Shin Byeong-cheol, Director of the Health and Welfare Bureau of Incheon City, emphasized, “Walking is the most effective health management method that anyone can easily practice regardless of time or place.” He also encouraged active participation from citizens, saying, “I hope many citizens will enjoy participating in this ‘3.6.9. Walking Challenge,’ take care of their health, and enjoy the generous benefits.”

More detailed information about this challenge can be found on the official website of Incheon Metropolitan City. The city will provide detailed information on how to participate in the challenge, precautions, and gift certificate distribution guidelines through its website to address citizens' inquiries and support smooth participation.

Incheon City's ‘3.6.9. Walking Challenge’ is evaluated as a smart health policy that goes beyond a simple walking promotion campaign, contributing to improving citizens' health and quality of life, and positively impacting the local economy. In the future, Incheon City plans to continuously develop and promote various policies to support the healthy lives of its citizens.

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