The 2023 DMZ Peace Marathon was held on October 7 in Paju City, adjacent to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), to provide participants with experiences in the ecological, peaceful and historical values of the demilitarized zone while they ran along the border.

The DMZ Peace Marathon, which began in 2007 and was held for the 14th time this year, is one of the athletic components of the DMZ Open Festival, a global festival held in Gyeonggi Province.

This year’s race attracted more than 3,000 participants, including marathon runners from all over the country, members of the Korean Armed Forces, and residents of Gyeonggi Province. Starting with the opening ceremony at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park, the race was divided into two courses, a half course (about 21 kilometers) and a 10-kilometer course, both officially certified by the Korea Athletics Federation. Participants had the unique experience of running across the Unification Bridge over the Imjin River to Gunae Samgyo, an area in the Civilian Control Zone.

The event was attended by Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Oh Who-seok, National Assembly members Yoon Hoo-duk and Park Jeong, ROK Army’s 1st Infantry Division Commander Seo Jin-ha, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members Go Jun-ho and Hwang Se-ju, and former marathon runner Lee Bong-joo.

Kim Sang-won won the men’s half course and Son Tae-young won the women’s half course, while Kim Jae-min won the men’s 10-kilometer course and Lee Hong-soon won the women’s 10-kilometer course. Trophies were presented to the winners of each course, and all participants received finisher medals, sling bags, and sport socks.

Various side events were held at the event, including face painting, North Korean food tasting, and military ID tag making. Provincial PR booths were also set up for Gyeonggi residents, offering VR education in industrial accident prevention, sales of social value products, labor consultations, and promotion of the “Hope Care” emergency welfare hotline.

“The DMZ Peace Marathon is an event that expands the concept of peace to a broader scope, from reducing political and military tensions to finding solutions to ecological and climate crises, coexistence between nature and humans, and fostering international cooperation for this purpose,“ said Vice Governor Oh Who-seok. “We look forward to spreading the immeasurable value of peace through the marathon.”

In addition to the marathon event, the DMZ Open Festival will feature a variety of other programs through November including performances, concerts, exhibitions, and academic events related to the DMZ. For more information, including schedules, please visit the official DMZ Open Festival website at www.dmzopen.kr.