sketches at Son gi-jeong Memorial Park, Malli-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

entrance of the Memorial Hall under remodeling, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

construction field around the Memorial Hall, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Statue of Son gi-jeong, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Statue - running with all his might, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Pin Oak tree was planted in memory of Son, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

old fashioned Yangchung High School buildings with a history, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Son gi-jeong Cultural Sports Center with creepered bricks, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

playing soccer at the lawn ground inside the Memorial Park, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

control office viewed from the Gate of Memorial Park, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm 

control office of the Memorial Park, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

neighbouring village viewed from the hill inside the park, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

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This Memorial Park was prepared in memory of Son gi-jeong (1914 -2002) who was the gold medalist in 11th Berlin olympic marathons establishing a new world record on 1936. Therefore Son gi-jeong became the first gold medal-winning Korean Olympian, so he continued to have his pride as a Korean until his last days.

He was born in Sinuiju, and was educated at Yangchung High School with a history of 100 years in Seoul. Some time ago the school was relocated to Yahgchon-gu, and the site was transformed into Son gi-jeong Memorial Park. Recently, before the 100th anniversary of his birth, Son's Memorial Hall building with red bricks is under remodeling for better than ever.

Last Saturday I visited the Memorial Park with our USK Seoul sketchers. While sketching, I looked back upon the history of 1930s and his outstanding achievement in enhancing the national prestige.