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Jong Song-ok

b. 1974

North Korean long-distance runner

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About Jong Song-ok

Born 1974. Jong Song-ok is a North Korean long-distance runner.

Jong Song-ok (; born 18 August 1974) is a female long-distance runner and politician from North Korea.

Career Jong debuted internationally at the 1995 Military World Games where she finished second. She emerged as a new star in a series of North Korean marathoners after having placed third at the Beijing Marathon. She also competed at 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, finishing 20th in the women's marathon.

Jong won the world title in the women's marathon at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics in Seville, Spain with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 59 seconds. Her victory was celebrated by a crowd of over one million people and North Korean media dubbed her the "Queen of Marathon".

Jong is the first North Korean sportsperson to have received the title of Heroine of the Republic. She also holds the title of People's Athlete.

Later life In 2000, Jong did not participate in either the Boston Marathon or the Summer Olympics in Sydney; South Korean media claimed this was due to the personal instruction of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Jong became a delegate to the 10th Supreme People's Assembly in March 2000.

Jong married fellow marathon runner Kim Jung-won in March 2001. During the 2008 Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, she was the last person to carry the Olympic torch through the streets.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Member of the Supreme People's Assembly
Awards
Hero of the Republic

People in Jong Song-ok's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jong Song-ok's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jong Song-ok?

North Korean long-distance runner

When was Jong Song-ok born?

Jong Song-ok was born on 18 August 1974 in Haeju.

What is Jong Song-ok's occupation?

Jong Song-ok is a long-distance runner.

What nationality is Jong Song-ok?

Jong Song-ok is North Korean.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jong Song-ok

· Wikidata: Q271566

· DBpedia: Jong Song-ok

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jong Song-ok. https://biography.guide/jong-song-ok/

MLA: "Jong Song-ok." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jong-song-ok/.

Chicago: "Jong Song-ok." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jong-song-ok/.

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