Go for More 300km. Give Koreans a Hope

They are not far from the South Pole now.

The South Pole expedition team sponsored by Dongailbo has only 300km left to reach its goal. The team left the northwest coast of Antarctica, Hercules on November 30 last year and has run over 800km in 38 days as of January 6. Currently they are at 87 degrees 52 minutes 388 south latitude and 82 degrees and 52 minutes 636 west longitude.

The expedition team lead by Captain Park Young-seok, 41, is supposed to arrive at the South Pole on January 15, the 47th day of their expedition, which is earlier than the expected date, January 25, by ten days. This record will be two days earlier than 49 days, the shortest period for a South Pole expedition during which Frenchman Thierry Bolo made in 1999.

Now their stamina is running out as they have sledded more than a month against blizzards and cutting cold weather. Messages of encouragement from the Korean people are a big support to the exhausted members. At present there are more than 400 messages that have been left at www.donga.com by readers as of January 6. Among them, “Cartoon the New Year’s greeting postcard” drawn by comic artist Heo Young-man who climbed K2 (8611m above sea level), the highest peak in Oceania, Carstensz (4884m), and the highest peak in Europe, Elbrus (5633m). The following messages are interesting ones.

- I am a Korean resident in Seattle, USA. I can’t help being disappointed when I see the ugly acts of politicians even as 2004 began. At this time, your journey encourages all Korean people. Please do your best until the end. (Park Tae-chul)

-Dad, give a scold to Woo-young. When I played in the living room, pulling my bedclothes over, he came to me to knock my head and pull my hair away. He is now sleeping early so as not to be scolded. Dad, isn’t it tough? But you can make it. (Lee Geon-young, 7 years old, the eldest son of expedition team member Lee Chi-sang)

- I have a guilty conscience that I didn’t feel concern about the members while I was interested in reading the expedition diary. The reason why I think its beautiful is that you, running over the cold continent, are real guys who fill up the hearts of people remaining here. (Strong madam)

-Captain Park’s bleeding nose implies how painful the exploration is. Your fighting spirit is outstanding. Fight, fight, fight. (Lee Yoon-hee)

- It would be finished at once if all the Korean people made a step instead of you, but it isn’t possible… All people are sending big applause for your every single step. (Seo Kyoung-lim)

- In the library, I read the book which Captain Park wrote. I was impressed by the passage, “I never give up even if there is only a one percent possibility.” Whenever I see that you overcome inconceivable difficulties and adversities in Antarctica, I am touched and I can have a hope and courage. (Lee Eun-yeop)

-Namguk ggojeong gajen heonan pokssak sokamsuda. Apang bangnalgeo dalmado hossolman chomang. Gisinnaeung dormeong dormeong honjeo gapsseoye. (O Jin-sook; you are making good efforts to reach the South Pole. Please be patient even if it is so hard. Make it fast with all your might; Jeju dialect message sent to member O Hee-joon who is from Seoguipo)

-Kang Cheol-won strawberry milk even has been chosen as the most shocking news in the eventful year of 2003. In the conversation among the team members about what food they would like to have most after returning to Korea, Kang’s “three liters of strawberry milk” answer was really shocking. (Antarctic Penguin)

-I respect you for challenging the limits of human endurance in the unimaginably freezing weather and long distance of 1200km. Even though it is a lonely race, I hope that you can endure a little more, as big supporters from Korea stay with you. I pray for the accomplishment and safe return of real heroes. (Ahn Seong-soo)

- Their lips were blistered when I saw pictures in the expedition album a couple of days ago. It made me feel sorry and sad. Take care of yourself and always make sure of your safety as you get closer to South Pole. (Boksagol)