전북특별자치도 뉴스룸

Jeonbuk State announced that the ‘Olympic Day Run 2025 in Jeonju’ successfully concluded on the 16th around the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, with 6,000 participants gathered from across the country.

This event is the symbolic starting point for the Interconnected City strategy, realizing balanced national development beyond Seoul-centric sports events. Based on Jeonbuk's firm commitment to host the Summer Olympics in Jeonju, it served as an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of local cities across the nation.

The Olympic Day Run is the only Olympic event in Korea officially certified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Jointly organized by the Jeonbuk State, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), and Jeonju-si, it is a global campaign that promotes the Olympic spirit in commemoration of the IOC's founding day (June 23rd). It had previously been held only in Seoul four times in Korea, making this event a historic occasion as the first to be held in a local province.

The event was composed of three categories—the Half Course, 10km, and 5km—and proceeded sequentially starting at 9 a.m. It received high interest, with all 6,000 participant slots closing early immediately after registration opened, and more than 90% of the participants were young people aged 20 to 40. This served to showcase both Jeonju's vibrant city image and its capacity to host international sports events.

To ensure the safe operation of the event, Jeonbuk State held five consultative meetings with Jeonju-si, the National Police Agency, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and other relevant bodies, concurrently carrying out field training and joint inspections. Approximately 380 personnel, including police officers, volunteers, and public officials, were responsible for traffic and safety management. Furthermore, a medical response system was established in cooperation with the Jeonbuk National University College of Nursing and Department of Exercise Preion, Jeonju University, and Wanju Fire Station to safeguard the health and safety of the participants.

A variety of cultural programs were also prepared. The street cheering by Hapgut Village's Samulnori group and 35 autonomous neighborhood organizations from Jeonju continued along the course, and the stage performance of the modern Korean traditional music project "Chaoreum" and a congratulatory performance by singer Wheein, who is from Jeonju, heated up the atmosphere on site. As supplementary events, Olympic sport experience booths, fan signing events, and a photo zone for Wanju certification were also operated, increasing participant satisfaction.

Thorough advance notice was also provided to minimize inconvenience to citizens due to traffic control. 22 routes of city and village buses were adjusted, and temporary bus stops were set up for intercity and express buses. By using both online and offline promotion—including real-time navigation detour guidance, website banners, social media promotion, sending safety texts, and on-site visits to religious facilities and apartment complexes—the state successfully elicited the voluntary cooperation of its residents.

This event developed into a nationwide participatory festival that went beyond a simple running event, combining 'K-Sports' and 'K-Culture'. Participants gathered from all over the country shared their desire to host the Olympics while running together in Jeonju. This served as an opportunity to confirm Jeonju's cultural competitiveness and its potential as an international sports city.

Based on the operational experience of this event and the voluntary participation of its residents, Jeonbuk State plans to systematically build the foundation necessary for hosting international sports competitions. Jeonju, as a city equipped with balanced infrastructure for culture, tourism, and sports, is growing into a well-prepared city suitable for hosting the Summer Olympics in the future.

Jeonbuk State Governor Kim Gwan-young said, "This Olympic Day Run is a starting point for publicizing the aspirations of our state residents to host the Summer Olympics in Jeonju, and Jeonbuk's vision, to the entire nation." He added, "We will move toward that dream together with the people, and we will gather even more strength to help Jeonbuk leap forward toward the world."