[One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day Thousand Characters] Yoon Byeong-tae, Mayor of Naju: "My Determination Resembles a Marathon"

Editor's NoteYoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju City, sent a message to the Harumanbo Haracheonja Movement Headquarters, sharing his thoughts on the commonalities between marathons and life, as well as his aspirations for city administration. Born in 1960 and a native of Naju, Mayor Yoon graduated from Gwangju Commercial High School and the Department of Economics at Sungkyunkwan University. He entered public service in 1992 after passing the 36th Administrative Examination. He mainly worked at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, serving as Budget Standards Division Chief, Fiscal System Division Chief, Senior Administrative Officer at the Presidential Secretariat’s Education and Culture Chief Secretary’s Office, and Budget Review Officer for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. From 2018 to 2021, he served as Vice Governor for Economy of Jeollanam-do Province and was elected Mayor of Naju in last year’s local elections.

"3 hours 58 minutes 47 seconds" is the official record of my completion of the full marathon course (42.195 km) at the 2016 Donga International Marathon. Believing that physical fitness is essential for work, I have been consistently running marathons on weekend mornings since 2010.

There are several lessons I have learned from running marathons. First, anyone can complete a marathon, but it is also difficult for anyone to finish. Without sufficient preparation through practice, no matter how strong one’s stamina is, completing a marathon is impossible. Conversely, even the weakest person or those with disabilities can finish if they prepare well.

When I participated in the 2016 Donga International Marathon, countless people gathered from all over the country. Among them were individuals with one arm disabled and visually impaired runners. Well-built soldiers from military units also took part. Who among them completed the long full course of 42.195 km?

To get straight to the point, the soldiers did not finish. They sprinted like racehorses as soon as the whistle blew but stopped at most at the half-point. Rather, those who appeared physically weaker but had consistently prepared and trained were the ones who completed the course. I was also able to cross the finish line at Jamsil Stadium with a time in the 3-hour range.

The 20th National Naju Geumseongsan Forest Trail Marathon completed the 11km course by Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju City
[Photo by Naju City]

Another lesson I deeply felt is the African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Had I run alone, I would never have finished. Having people to run with allowed me to adjust my pace by watching them and not lose my rhythm.

Lastly, running in the set direction means that even if you are a bit slow, you will eventually reach the finish line.

Life is the same. Whether studying or pursuing a task, rushing ahead impatiently often leads to trouble. But if you set the right direction and steadily prepare and work hard, you will eventually achieve your goals.

Every weekend morning, while running marathons, I see the potential of Naju. After waking up, I think about which course to run today. The small excitement makes me look forward to the weekend. I usually run 10 km, sometimes up to 15 km. Along the way, I discover and feel the charm and potential of my hometown Naju, which I might have missed while driving. At over 60 years old, running marathons is a double benefit as it helps me maintain my health every week.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju is walking with citizens at the Yeongsan River Love City and Province Residents' Unity Walking Festival on April 15.
[Photo by Naju]

There is a bicycle path along the Yeongsan River, the lifeline of the southern region. Running this path, I dream of a 300-ri (approximately 118 miles) premium bicycle path that I can proudly present anywhere. The 570,000-pyeong (approximately 1.88 million square meters) reservoir and wetlands, larger than Suncheon Bay, bloom with flowers year-round and will become a national ecological garden bustling with tourists. Not only that, the Yeongsan River, flowing gently through the Naju Plain, holds countless brilliant historical, cultural, ecological, and tourism resources by region. The Donggang Neureoji Observatory, Gongsan Useupje, Dasi Juksanbo, Naju Bridge and Yeongsanpo, Nampyeong Ddeuldeul River, and Naju Lake each possess outstanding scenery, usable land, and tourism potential as precious resources.

The 8th elected Naju City government aims to open a "New Yeongsan River Era" and develop the resources given to us so that all citizens nationwide can enjoy them. I firmly believe this will be the catalyst for the era of 5 million Naju tourists. My determination resembles the spirit and lessons of the marathon. I will prepare steadily and run hard in the direction we have set, together with the 120,000 citizens, not alone.