People's Athlete Kim Kum Ok of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a thrice Asian marathon champion.
When she was training to overcome the extremely difficult point in the blazing sun or pouring rain after determining to become a marathoner, she sometimes regretted her start of marathon.
At that time, her teacher Paek Tong Nam at the Mangyongdae District Extracurricular Juvenile Sports School encouraged her, saying a marathoner can reach the finish line when he or she overcomes the extremely difficult point in his or her mind first rather than that in the course.
Whenever she felt tired, Kim Kum Ok would remember her teacher's encouragement and train harder. Finally, she was selected as a marathoner of the then April 25 Sports Team.
The great leader Kim Jong Il said the Korean people can hold the championship if they develop marathon, as they have strong perseverance and fortitude. His encouragement and great trust became the source of her inexhaustible strength.
Kim Kum Ok took part in the women's marathon of the Military World Games held in July Juche 100(2011). Though the medical team advised her not to take part in the race as she got high fever, she rose up and defeated all her rivals in defiance of the sultry weather with the temperature of 34 degrees centigrade, breasting the tape first.
At that time, she couldn't speak because of laryngitis. So when a foreign reporter asked her about the secret of victory, she wrote on the reporter's pocketbook as follows: "I received an order of the respected Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il. A soldier given an order of the supreme commander cannot fall before carrying it out. So I ran on and on."
With such fighting spirit and enthusiasm, she won the Asian marathon championships held in 2006, 2008 and 2013.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was very pleased with her successes in the games, praised her as a player with excellent mental and moral traits and training spirit and held her up as a model of the sportspeople of younger generation.
Today Kim Kum Ok is running the course of patriotism invariably to train Olympic titlists and fly the dignified national flag higher in the sky of the world, fully demonstrating the honour of the motherland.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
Pak Thae Song, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, met Vice-Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko, head of
May 09, 2025
Pak Thae Song, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, met Vice-Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko, head of
Pyongyang is significantly commemorating the V-Day of Russia. Choe Son Hui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's
May 09, 2025
Pyongyang is significantly commemorating the V-Day of Russia. Choe Son Hui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's
The Spring Golf Addicts' Contest took place at the Pyongyang Golf Course between the 6th and the 8th. The contest brought together
May 09, 2025
The Spring Golf Addicts' Contest took place at the Pyongyang Golf Course between the 6th and the 8th. The contest brought together
The government delegation of the Republic of Belarus led by Vice-Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko visited the Tower of the Juche Idea.
May 09, 2025
The government delegation of the Republic of Belarus led by Vice-Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko visited the Tower of the Juche Idea.
The third meeting of the Joint Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the governments of the Democratic People's
May 09, 2025
The third meeting of the Joint Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the governments of the Democratic People's
The embassy of the Russian Federation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea gave a reception at the Yanggakdo International
May 09, 2025
The embassy of the Russian Federation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea gave a reception at the Yanggakdo International
Combat trainings of all levels of the Korean People's Army are powerfully organized and conducted in order to improve the
May 09, 2025
Combat trainings of all levels of the Korean People's Army are powerfully organized and conducted in order to improve the
Sectional talks were held on the 7th for the third meeting of the Joint Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the
May 08, 2025
Sectional talks were held on the 7th for the third meeting of the Joint Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the
A meeting was held on the 7th to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's field guidance to the
May 08, 2025
A meeting was held on the 7th to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's field guidance to the
The General Bureau of the Tanchon Area Mining Industry organizes and guides the economic work for carrying out major policy tasks
May 08, 2025
The General Bureau of the Tanchon Area Mining Industry organizes and guides the economic work for carrying out major policy tasks
The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea gave a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on the 7th in welcome
May 08, 2025
The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea gave a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on the 7th in welcome
The 38th National Sci-Tech Festival came to a close. Valuable successes and experiences conducive to the economic development of
May 08, 2025
The 38th National Sci-Tech Festival came to a close. Valuable successes and experiences conducive to the economic development of
Schools and kindergartens are under construction or reconstruction in South Phyongan Province as part of the work to provide the
May 08, 2025
Schools and kindergartens are under construction or reconstruction in South Phyongan Province as part of the work to provide the
There is the Sci-Tech Complex, a great temple of learning for all the people and a multifunctional centre for dissemination of
May 08, 2025
There is the Sci-Tech Complex, a great temple of learning for all the people and a multifunctional centre for dissemination of
Tens of university and college graduates in South Hamgyong Province volunteered to work at revolutionary battle sites and schools
May 08, 2025
Tens of university and college graduates in South Hamgyong Province volunteered to work at revolutionary battle sites and schools
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea gives priority to bringing up the younger generations. It ensures school fittings,
May 08, 2025
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea gives priority to bringing up the younger generations. It ensures school fittings,
A government delegation of the Republic of Belarus headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko flew in Pyongyang on the 6th at
May 07, 2025
A government delegation of the Republic of Belarus headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko flew in Pyongyang on the 6th at
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
May 07, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
Kim Hyong Jik University of Education gives refresher training to teachers in an efficient way. The university worked out
May 07, 2025
Kim Hyong Jik University of Education gives refresher training to teachers in an efficient way. The university worked out
Officials and employees of the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm are making fresh innovations in the farming. They have wound up two
May 07, 2025
Officials and employees of the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm are making fresh innovations in the farming. They have wound up two
More Articles
