This is when I worked at the LG Factory, which is located in Busan, my first job after graduating from university. I attended the special lecture by Kim Jung-seop, who is the author of Manaslu Mt. of tenacity, with curiosity because there was a guide on Climbing the Himalayas.

In 1971, the three brothers Kim Jung-seop (Hoseop, Kiseop) set up a Manaslu Mt. expedition to conquer 1974 Everest, but it ended in failure with the death of Kim Ki-seop and others. The Manaslu expedition, recorded as the first distress in the history of the Himalayan expedition in Korea, ended in tragedy, but the following year, the brothers will re-challenge the second expedition involving the youngest Ye-seop, but Captain Kim Ho-seop will die and fail again.

The third climbing of Manaslu in 1976 was also not achieved, so it is remembered as a mountain of tenacity and a tragic mountain that the entire family, including four brothers and one brother-in-law, had buried two younger brothers in the Himalayas. The special lecture was a tour lecture to raise the cost of the third expedition while selling books. I got disturbed my mind by the proposal that could join the Himalaya expedition if I donated some dowry. But i gave up because i thought 'Mountain expert' was not my way.

As i climb, i can see mountain climber who is climbing rocks with rope, i can also meet mountain marathoner who is running along the mountain path. Climbing a mountain requires a lot of physical strength and energy, so how hard is it to run on a mountain path and in a forest?

It's hard to run for a long time, but I think it's too dangerous and reckless to run on a high and rugged mountain in a marathon method. This is because, like the challenge in the marathon, which runs on flat land for two to three hours, you can feel the joy of relieving stress, invigorating life, and a sense of accomplishment for yourself through the competition running high mountains.

In short, one of the mountain leisure sports that combines the functions and advantages of mountain climbing and marathon is the 'Climbathon', and many competitions are held overseas and in Korea as well.

A surprising incident of the mountain marathon took place on Everest Mt. in 2003. At the Himalayan International Marathon held in Nepal, an 85-year-old man completed a 42.195km marathon full course with a temperature of -10~20℃ above an altitude of 5,000m and an oxygen level was below 50% than normal.

The day after the competition, local newspapers made headlines as 'Himalaya Hero' and 'The World's Strongest Man' and were even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. At the age of 77, he reached the top of the Himalayan 'Mera Peak' at 6,645m above sea level with anaerobic oxygen, and at the age of 84, he also succeeded in climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, breaking various world records.

His name is Dr Hee-sun Park, who graduated from the Major of Metal Engineering at Tohoku University in Japan and worked in Seoul National University as a professor for a while. He headed to Japan again due to his aspiration for advanced learning. In 1969 he met the 'gyungsan instructor' who is the highest authority in Japan's meditation community, and was guided to the path of meditation. Mediation is a type of hypogastric breathing, which maintains the balance of autonomic nerves and hormonal balance through training to prevent adult diseases, prevent aging, and guide people to enjoy a lively life.

Last year, I skipped it due to the COVID-19 crisis, but every year, I climb Daecheongbong Peak of Seorak Mountain and Bukhan Mountain with my friends. On younger days, I enjoyed hiking overnight at Bongjeongam or Jungcheong Rest Area, but now I feel uncomfortable sleeping in the mountains, so I choose the course on the same day and go early. The course from Naeseorak Baekdamsa to Oeseorak is also available on the same day, but nowadays choose the course that climb from Hangyeryeong Pass to Daecheongbong Peak and come down through the Osaek Mineral Spring while avoiding inconvenience such as moving vehicles. It takes about 10 hours. I left Seoul at 6 AM, had a quick bite at the rest area, start to climb the Hangyeryeong Pass from 9 AM, and go to Daecheongbong Peak and take a picture.

Although I was exhausted because it was an uphill road from Hangyeryeong Pass to the three-way intersection, I was able to enjoy hiking while watching the wonderful uphill scenery along the ridge. I felt proud and confident at the thought that if I continued to take good care of my health even when I got older, I would be able to climb Seorak Mountain for the next 10 to 15 years.

Many friends and acquaintances around me are have a concern and surprise at the hiking Daecheongbong Peak of Seorak Mountain on a one-day course. However, I have been hiking for more than 60 years since I was young, and I still have a habit of hiking twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays, so I think I can handle the one-day course.

I am joking with my friends of hike club named 'Hanmoehoe' to climb Bukhan Mountain until the age of 90 and continue to Seorak Mountain/Daecheongbong Peak until the age of 85. Our climbing role model named Tae-hwa Jeong, Who We met at Bukhan Mountain, enjoys hiking twice a week even at the age of 87. His upright posture and clear speech make us feel confident that we can do it.

Above all, there should be no regressive joints in the knee, which is endure the 3 times of body weight, in old age. To achieve my climbing goal, I should someday have the wisdom to prevent knee injuries by using mountain climbing sticks that i don't use.

On Sundays, I climb Bukhan Mountain with my friends from Hanmoehoe, and on Saturdays, I climb the Cheonggye Mountain with my wife. Get rid of the fatigue and stress accumulated during the week, and immerse myself in nature by talking with trees, flowers, rock walls and clear water in the valley.

Climbing also presents us with 'relaxation'. It gives us the freedom to put everything down and look at the beauty of nature for us who are too driven by time and speed to keep up with our souls and run for happiness.

The anions coming out of the mountains and phytoncide pouring out of the forest cleanse the mind and feel the wonder of natural healing that heals all diseases. As the proverb goes, "Trees have their roots damaged first, and people's legs get old first," the secret of eternal life is not in wild ginseng, gall bladder of a bear, or deer antlers, but in 'Strong Legs'.

For get the strong legs, it is a good way to walk hard and tired steadily, just as soft iron is trained and steel, and among them, hiking is the best way. As the saying goes, "There is a general hospital at the top of the mountain that treats diseases", simply climbing up will strengthen your legs and keep you healthy until you are 100.

Breaking away from the monotony of Bukhan Mountain and Cheonggye Mountain, I climb famous overseas mountains such as Mount Fuji in Japan and visit Seorak Mountain and Jiri Mountain which are famous high mountain in Korea. Seoraksan Mountain is a high alpine mountain. It has beautiful and different charms so usually compared with Geumgang Mountain. When COVID-19 is over, I hope I can prepare more diverse mountain schedules to maintain a health.

A company CEO must be healthy in body and mind to make the right decisions about the direction and strategy the company should take, and to show the leadership in team managers and employees. Regular hiking maintains physical health and a clear mind, giving me the belief that I will be able to properly manage the company for realize being a hundred-year company through exports.

CEO BAIK, SUNGCHUN