In memory of INWA Korea’s founding President Mr Yohan Park

The INWA Korea President Mr. Yohan Park tragically passed away on the 25th of October 2025 due to an unexpected medical incident.

INWA shares this news with indescribable sadness and regret. INWA president Aki Karihtala said:

“On behalf of the International Nordic Walking Federation, I wish to express our deepest condolences to INWA Korea members, family members and close friends of Yohan Park. Yohan w

as not only a passionate leader for Nordic Walking in Korea, but also a highly valued member of our global INWA community and a great personal friend for many of us. We are grateful for everything he contributed, and for the many friendships he nurtured around the world. Entire INWA family all over the world will share this great sorrow.”

The late Mr. Yohan Park was the pioneer who first introduced Nordic Walking to South Korea and laid the foundation for the development of Nordic Walking in the country.

In 2003, while serving as the publisher of an outdoor magazine, he introduced Nordic Walking to Korea and contributed to the early distribution of Nordic Walking poles and the establishment of an initial education base.

He later travelled to Finland, the birthplace of Nordic Walking, to learn its techniques and educational system directly, and built an accurate and structured instructor training system adapted to Korea.

His meeting with INWA President Aki Karihtala in 2016 became a turning point, marking the beginning of Korea’s activities within the International Nordic Walking Federation framework. From that point on, he led INWA Korea’s official international engagement and helped establish its global foundation.

In 2021, he founded the International Nordic Walking Association Korea (INWA KOREA) as a registered non-profit organization and became its first President. In this role, he worked to strengthen instructor development, technical education, program refinement, and international collaboration.

Mr. Park continued to lead by example, actively teaching and guiding Nordic Walking education until his final training session on October 25, 2025. He consistently contributed to the growth and advancement of Nordic Walking in Korea for over two decades.

The systems, standards, and philosophy he established remain at the core of INWA Korea’s operations today and continue to guide the ongoing development of Nordic Walking in South Korea.

Mr Yohan Park’s friendship and leadership will be sorely missed.