▲ Torch for 17th Incheon Asian Games 2014 passes through Jeju. Photo courtesy Jeju Self-Governing Province

The torch for the Incheon Asian Games arrived in Korea from Weihai, China, on Wednesday, Aug. 13, and reached Jeju through after flying from Gimpo Airport on Saturday, Aug. 16. The flame was lit in New Delhi Stadium, India, on Saturday, Aug. 9, where the first Asian Games were held in 1951.

The flame was combined with a flame lit at Mt. Manisan, Ganghwa Island, last Tuesday and is set to arrive in Incheon on Sept. 19 for the opening ceremony. It will have completed a 5,700 k.m. journey through 70 cities and towns across the country including Baengnyeongdo Island in the West Sea and Ulleungdo Island in the East Sea.

It arrived in Jeju from Baengnyeongdo via Gimpo at 2 p.m. on Aug. 16 and was welcomed at the Jeju provincial government building by Jeju governor Won Hee-ryong and chairman of Jeju Provincial Assembly Goo Sungji. Yeondong Pungmul, a Korean traditional percussion band, was also on hand to offer support.

Park Hyungsu, the vice-captain of the sacred-torch relay, passed the torch to Yang Sunok, a Jeju haenyeo, or diving woman, and she along with 71 others ran the 4.8 k.m. to Samseonghyeol, one of Jeju’s mythological sites and the birthplace of Tamna, the ancient Jeju kingdom.

The runners, who were recruited in June, came from all kinds of backgrounds, including haenyeo, Jeju Municipal Police, the disabled, the elderly, disadvantaged children and expat residents of Jeju. The dignitaries taking part included Governor Won, Suzuki Mitsuo, the consul general of Japan in Jeju, Yu Jibi, the vice consul general of China in Jeju.

Governor Won, who joined five haenyeo on the run, said, “I think it is very meaningful to participate in the sacred-torch relay with many Jeju residents and to see the holy fire that was lit in New Delhi, India and Mt. Manisan, Korea.” Won hopes the torch can contribute to unity across 17 cities and provinces and peace, harmony and friendship to 4.5 billion Asians.”

The torch relay took about 1 hour before spending the night in Jeju and being sent to the Ulleungdo Island on Aug 17.