“I was with the North Koreans at a beer. One of them abstained and stripped” “The disclosures of the Romanian from Brasov who ran to the Phenian marathon
Article by David Marinescu – published Tuesday, April 08, 2025 20:34 / Updated Tuesday, April 08, 2025 21:02
Ștefan Iulius Gavril (35 years old), originally from Brasov, He recently participated in the Phenian International Marathon (North korea). He spoke for the freedom about the race that marked a new stage in the gradual reopening of the North Korean borders, closed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
200 foreign athletes participated last day in the International Marathon in Phenian. At the North Korea race on the 11th place was Stefan Iulius Gavril (35 years old), the end taking place on the Phenian stadium, where 50,000 North Korean spectators applauded runners.
“I saw Audi, Mercedes, on the street. There are no private cars”
“I had an invitation from the North Korean Federation of athletics. With the official e-mail, I presented myself at the North Korean Embassy in Bucharest. I was on Friday, Monday they put my visa. All the expenses were settled by the Phenian forum. From what I saw there, they have a great respect for the athletes ”, said the Brasov for Freedom.
The Phenian International Marathon is one of the events organized annually to celebrate Kim Il-Sung's birthday, the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong-un, celebrated on April 15.
About what he found in North Korea, Stefan Gavril says: “It is built a lot, I saw Audi, Mercedes, on the street. Indeed, there are no private cars, but the company, but I was amazed. And I liked it, simple and good.”
We, strangers, were advised to stand out as little as possible. People can call the police if you look at them in a way or just because you take pictures and call the police, it is not known! Last night, on 7, I was with the North Koreans for a beer. One of them abstained and stripped, walking in the t -shirt through the hotel
Ștefan Gavril, athlete
“The ones from the Romanian Embassy gave me clear directions”
Asked if he was not afraid to go to North Korea, Stefan replied: “The people of the Romanian Embassy gave me clear directions, what to do, what to do. They asked me what kind of man I am, to be directly. In some cases, no one knows how local authorities can act. But I was not afraid ”.
The manager and I were meeting. At 8.30 for breakfast, at 10.30 in training. In the hotel it was internet, but it costs $ 12 for 10 minutes
Ștefan Gavril, athlete
Stefan was born in Brasov and is 35 years old. In 2003, he moved with his family to Turin, where he began to practice martial arts and kickboxing. In 2011, he won the Bestfighter World Cup (Kickboxing), but in the coming years he discovered his passion for athletics.
Since 2016, he has moved to France to run for the Nice Côte D'Azur Athlétisme club, making notable progress in performance. In December 2019, he set a new national record at 10 km, and in February 2020 he obtained the record at 5 km.
