Jin Jeong set out to cycle
around the world in September 2011.
She has cycled through 74 countries
spanning six continents.
After cycling for eight years
and covering 80,000km(49,709mi)
she has never returned home.
Why has she never been back home?
Here is her story.
Across the world often the first question
she was asked, “Where are you from?”
She would answer "I am from Korea"
just as she learned from school.
But people always asked back “South or North?”
Until high school she hated
the idea of the unification of Korea.
But these questions began to make
her think a lot about her country.
Korea was one country with
5,000 years of history, culture and language.
During the Cold War Korea was divided
in to two countries.
Families torn apart are dying
without seeing each other again.
She realized
this is the saddest history of her country.
She became overcome with frustration as to
why not possible to travel
through half of Korean Peninsula
when she had travelled around the world
including dangerous places.
In 2011, she decided
if she succeeded to cycle six continents
She will go back to South Korea
through North Korea by land.
That's why she has never been
back home for over 8 years.
All these years she dreamed
this would one day become a possibility
but still after all these years
it is still nearly impossible.
Because no South Korean
solo traveler has crossed
the North Korean border in over 75 years
But she still wants to try .
She will be very careful with social distancing if getting permission.
She has overcome
many hurdles on her world trip.
She has faced sexual harassments,
car accidents, thieves, and even attack.
She has fallen in to water during floods
fallen through a drain hole...
but it has never stopped
her dream.
She knows the political situation is complex
and it affects our lives.
She has voted through the overseas absentee vote
for president and parliamentary election
It was not easy to get to the Korean embassy
mostly located in the capital of each country.
She had to fight with the heat and
distance to arrive at the right time.
Although the politics is important
Sometimes we need to forget about
these political systems keeping people divided.
So many people helped during her trip
even letting her sleep at their property.
No one ever asked “What is your religion?"
"What is your political position?”
They helped without question and discrimination.
When the coronavirus started,
she saw violence toward Asian
throughout the world.
She became really afraid
to begin cycling again in Australia.
In complete contrast to her fears
everyone was so kind and helpful.
When she was struggling on sandy roads
every car stopped and offered help.
This is the moment she realized
our society is always full of conflict
but we just want to help each other and
stay with the peace deep in our minds.
South and North Korea have had conflict politically
But the people only need a chance
to get to know each other and
to overcome the saddest tragedy of their country.
Her dream about not returning back home
until going through North Korea means
she wants to overcome
the frustrations of her country's history.
So now she applies for a national petition
(Government must answer if it reaches over 200,000 signatures.)
She wants to send a message to
South Korea, North Korea, and the world that
people can be connected all together
with hope and peace.
Moreover, she wants to share it with all Koreans
because she knows that we share far more similarities than differences.
Please join the petition. Check below link.
Let's help to send her back home safely
after 8 years, 6 continents and 74 countries.