People walk alongside the Han River in southern Seoul in the early morning, Saturday, as part of the Solas event organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise awareness about mental health. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
In four cities across Korea, more than 200 people participated in the annual Solas sunrise walk on Saturday, bringing local and international communities together for the third time in a nationwide show of solidarity for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Organized by the Irish Association of Korea (IAK), the early morning walk events were held simultaneously in Seoul and Busan, on Jeju Island and, for the first time, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, aimed at spreading awareness of mental health and well-being, while also raising funds to support mental health counseling services in Korea. In Seoul, about 100 people gathered near Yeouinaru Station on Seoul Metro Line 5 at 4 a.m. wearing green T-shirts for the annual 5-kilometer community walk known as Solas, from the Irish word for “light.”
People from Korea and around the world gather for the Solas sunrise walk organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The organizers stressed that the event was about connection, reminding each other that even in difficult times, there is comfort in community and strength in togetherness.
“There’s an Irish saying: ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile,’ there is no strength without unity,” Warren Neiland, wellbeing officer for the IAK and a school counselor at Cheongna Dalton School in Incheon, told participants. “And that’s exactly what today represents. As we move forward together, let’s carry kindness, encouragement and understanding with us, not only during this walk, but long after today is over. Now, let’s take a breath together … and with every step we take, let’s walk with hope, courage and compassion for ourselves and for each other.”
In her welcoming remarks, Ambassador of Ireland to Korea Michelle Winthrop applauded the participants for getting out of bed early in the morning for the event.
“When we came to Korea, my family and I made mental health our personal mission,” she said. “We are very committed to fighting the stigma around depression and suicide, and encouraging people to take a proactive approach to their mental health. This goal is heartily shared by the Irish community and the embassy as a whole, too. I am proud of what we have achieved — and most importantly, this vital initiative, modeled on the Irish Darkness into Light movement.”
Irish Ambassador to Korea Michelle Winthrop gives a welcoming speech for the Solas event organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido before sunrise, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
She acknowledged that the pressure on people’s lives seems to keep growing. “What we have learned in Ireland is the importance of being open about this and making it OK for people to speak openly about their struggles,” she said. “I’m so proud of our Irish community in championing this approach in Korea. I have been delighted to see this movement grow and grow during my time here as ambassador. I really hope this can continue to grow and inspire people around the country to be open about their mental health and seek support. It really is OK not to be OK — I cannot stress that message enough.”
She explained that in Ireland, they have learned the devastation that widespread depression and high suicide rates can wreak on society. “But we have begun to turn it around. Suicide rates have been down by a third over the past 25 years, and self-harming rates are seeing declines too,” she said. “This week, the government launched a 10-year strategy to improve the nation’s mental health.”
Irish Ambassador to Korea Michelle Winthrop, front row third from left, and her husband Gordon Winthrop, left, participate in the Solas sunrise walk organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
This year, the Solas walk attracted more European ambassadors, including Belgian Ambassador Bruno Jans, Austrian Ambassador Eva Russek and Slovak Ambassador Marek Repovsky, who delivered a shared message of awareness, openness and community support, emphasizing that mental health challenges affect people across all societies and should not be faced alone.
From left, ambassadors Marek Repovsky of the Slovak Republic, Eva Russek of Austria and Bruno Jans of Belgium participate in the Solas event organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Speaking to The Korea Times, the ambassadors stressed that mental health issues can touch anyone, whether family members, friends, colleagues or community members. They noted that raising awareness is essential to ensuring that those experiencing difficulties are treated with understanding and dignity rather than judgment.
The diplomats highlighted that modern life is becoming increasingly demanding, driven by rapid technological change, social expectations and pressure to perform. While societies are more connected digitally than ever before, they warned that personal connections and support networks are often weakening.
The ambassadors agreed that mental health challenges are not unique to Korea but are a global concern affecting countries across Europe and beyond. They pointed out that everyone experiences difficult periods in life, whether through loss, grief, stress or other personal struggles. During such times, support from friends, family and professionals can make a significant difference. These challenges are a shared human experience, they added, and said building compassionate communities, encouraging open dialogue and supporting those in need are everyone’s responsibility.
People stop to look at the Han River during the Solas sunrise walk organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
For Benjamin Osei and his family, originally from the United Kingdom, this year marked their second time taking part in Solas. The family has been living in Korea for five years, and participating in the annual Solas dawn walk has become a meaningful tradition.
Despite the early morning start, Osei described the experience as enjoyable and rewarding.
“It’s not difficult, it’s just a nice walk. Walking at night with the family is something special. While waking up before dawn can be challenging, the children have to wake up around 3 a.m.,” he said. “The first year was difficult, but now it’s a little easier.”
Benjamin Osei, second row left, and his family participate in the Solas event organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness in at southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Beyond the walk itself, he believes the event’s focus on mental health makes it especially valuable. He emphasized the importance of creating spaces where people feel comfortable discussing their struggles.
“I think it’s for a very good cause. One of the key messages was that it’s OK not to be OK. If you’re feeling stressed, it’s important to talk to somebody.”
He said that mental health challenges can be particularly difficult for people living abroad, away from familiar support systems.
Nabi, a friendly dog accompanying Irish expatriate Doreen Frawley, was the only four-legged walker to join the event, and got plenty of attention from others.
“She’s part of the group,” Frawley said. “She’s usually scared of people, so I think she’s pretending to be friendly today. I like that the event is pet-friendly, as often people bring their dogs, especially bigger ones.”
Irish expatriate Doreen Frawley and her dog Nabi participate in the Solas event organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Nabi, whose name means “butterfly” in Korean, has become something of a regular participant. According to Frawley, who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades and teaches at Dongguk University, her dog has joined previous walks and enjoys being part of the gathering. She said it was her fourth time participating in the event, which was previously held under the name “Darkness into Light.”
She believes the event offers an important reminder for anyone facing emotional difficulties.
“It’s always OK, if you don’t feel OK, to talk to somebody. Remember, one day at a time, and the next day the sun will come up again,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of community networks, praising the Irish community organizations for bringing people together through events such as Solas.
“It’s a really good group of people, and they’re really friendly. I love coming to the events,” she said.
People from Korea and around the world participate in the Solas sunrise walk organized by the Irish Association of Korea to raise mental health awareness held in southern Seoul’s Yeouido, Saturday. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
As participants completed the dawn walk and watched the sunrise, the event’s message sent a clear message that community support and companionship, whether found through friends, family or even a beloved pet, can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Visit irishassociationofkorea.kr/solas for more information.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and a freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.
