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Wenesday 9 May, 2009, Page. 16 Mobile phone interpretation service providers BBB Korea will host their third annual walk-a-thon at the Cheonggye stream in Seoul on Saturday under the banner of "Beyond Language Barriers." The theme of the event is cultural exchange between Koreans and foreign nationals. Though limited to 5,000participants, the event is open to everyone and commences at 9:30 a.m. at the Cheonggye Plaza. This year, delegates from 11countries will join an estimated 500 registered expatriates, volunteers, and Korean citizens in the walk-a-thon. As an added incentive, BBB Korea will provide "Jipshin," or traditional Korean sandals made of straw to foreign participants. About 3,000 are projected to show up for the event where eager walkers looking to meet new people will begin a 5.9 kilometer trek from the Cheonggye Square on the footpath alongside the stream to the Ogansu Bridge and back. This year''s International Friend Day" will be hosted by comedian Kim Young-chul. After the walk, a presentation of Korea''s traditional tightrope walking and traditional dance performances from Spain and Sweden will be presented. At the Cheonggye Square, traditional folk games like Yut,Tu-ho and hacky-sack will be available for both visitors and participants. Wrapping up the event will be a large-scale game of what can be best described as the Korean version of the traditional Mexican party staple "beat the pinata," without the candy. BBB Korea began its mobile phone interpretation service in 17 languages at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup to help visitors communicate and navigate throughout the country. by Song Woong-ki kws@heraldm.com