People take part in last year's Solas walk along the Han River in Seoul, May 31, 2025. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The Irish Association of Korea (IAK) will host the annual Solas sunrise walk on Saturday, May 30, bringing local and international communities together for the third time in a nationwide show of solidarity for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. This year, the early morning event takes place simultaneously in Seoul, Busan, Jeju and, for the first time, Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.
Now in its third year, Solas has evolved from a relatively small community gathering into a nationwide awareness campaign focused on compassion, resilience and mental health support. Organizers believe the event’s continued expansion demonstrates a growing recognition that mental well-being is a shared social responsibility.
Alan Leavy, chairman of the IAK, said the event's growing scale reflects the strong support for mental health awareness initiatives within Korea’s Irish and international communities.
“It is encouraging to see more people willing to come together in support of one another and engage in conversations that can often be difficult but are deeply important,” he said.
He mentioned that all proceeds from the event will support the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, which has been operating in Korea since 1958, when it established a clinic in Gwangju. With three facilities in Seoul and operations across 55 countries, the organization provides health care, mental health support, addiction treatment, hospice care and residential services for people with learning difficulties.
Warren Neiland, well-being officer for the Irish Association of Korea and emotional guidance counselor at Cheongna Dalton School in Incheon, takes part in last year's Solas walk along the Han River in Seoul, May 31, 2025. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Warren Neiland, wellbeing officer for the IAK and a school counselor at Cheongna Dalton School in Incheon, emphasized that this year’s event carries particular importance at a time when many people in Korea continue to experience intense personal, academic and professional pressures.
“This year’s Solas walk feels especially meaningful because it brings together both the local and international community around something deeply human: connection, support and hope. It reflects the growing awareness that mental health and well-being are shared responsibilities, not individual burdens,” he told the Korea Times. “Events like this help reduce stigma, encourage open conversations and remind people that communities become stronger when we support one another.”
He highlighted that open conversations are especially important in Korea today because many people carry significant pressure quietly — academically, professionally, socially and personally. “Stress is part of life, but when pressure becomes constant, and people feel unable to speak openly, it can deeply affect well-being. We need to continue creating environments where people feel safe to ask for help and where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.”
Source: Korea Times News
