Man runs across U.S. to mark Korean War

A retired New York City businessman of Korean descent made it in his Forrest Gump-like run across the United States. 

The 65-year-old Kwon Yi-joo began the coast-to-coast marathon from Los Angeles on March 23, ran for eight hours every day for 95 days, and finally crossed the finish line in front of the United Nations in New York City on June 25. 

The distance of his was about 5,100 kilometers. 

He finished the cross-country ordeal to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1950-1953 Korean War, the Yonhap news agency reported. On June 25, ceremonies were held across the U.S. as well as Korea. 

He started the race with an intention to promote world peace and the need for Korean reunification, and also with a hope of letting the world know that the Dokdo islets belong to Korea, not to Japan as it claims. 

“My experience of the cruelty and inhumanity of war prompted me into taking up marathon campaigns for world peace and the reunification of my native Korea,” said the Vietnam War veteran on go2marathon.org, a website about his cross-country marathon.

Kwon Yi-joo crosses the finish line in front of the United Nations on June 25 after running across the U.S. from Los Angeles in 95 days. Yonhap News