Lee Bong-ju, whose neck was bent at a 90-degree angle, shares post-surgery update: "Back and head pain gone"

Sangdon Park (left), Mayor of Cheonan, shared an update on marathoner Bongju Lee (center). Photo by Mayor Park, screenshot from Facebook.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The recent condition of marathoner Lee Bong-ju (51), who is battling the rare disease 'dystonia,' has been revealed following his surgery. The dystonia that Lee has been suffering from since last year is a neurological disorder that causes continuous abnormal postures or muscle twisting regardless of the individual's will.

On the 6th, Cheonan Mayor Park Sang-don wrote on his Facebook, "Korean marathon hero Lee Bong-ju underwent spinal cyst removal surgery at Seoul Gangnam St. Mary's Hospital on June 7th. Currently, he is undergoing rehabilitation at a hospital in Suwon, and I visited him along with Han Namgyo, the chairman of the city sports council."

He added, "The surgery went well, and the pain in his back and head has disappeared. I conveyed the regards and encouragement from the citizens of Cheonan and encouraged him to design the upcoming Lee Bong-ju Memorial Marathon course before leaving."

Lee Bong-ju is having a conversation with Park Sang-don, the mayor of Cheonan. Photo by Mayor Park, captured from Facebook.

In the photos released alongside, Lee is seen wearing hospital clothes and talking with Mayor Park. Although he could not straighten his back and waist fully, he appeared much improved compared to before the surgery when he used to bow his head at a 90-degree angle.

Earlier, after JTBC's 'Together We Play Soccer' training camp in Saipan in January last year, Lee experienced abdominal muscle spasms causing his muscles to pull forward, resulting in pain that forced him to walk with a bent back and neck.

Subsequently, on the 7th of last month, Lee underwent a 6-hour and 30-minute surgery at Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital to remove a spinal arachnoid cyst located between the 6th and 7th thoracic vertebrae and is currently recovering.

Athlete Lee Bong-ju appeared on a broadcast last March. Photo by TV Chosun, screen capture from 'Star Documentary My Way'.

Regarding this, Lee Bong-ju stated through his agency's YouTube channel on the 15th of the same month, "The surgery outcome is generally good," adding, "The spasms have almost completely stopped. The doctor also spoke positively, so I believe I will get better." He continued, "I will recover my health well and show you all my running again."

Meanwhile, Lee is known as the 'National Marathoner' for winning the silver medal in the marathon at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the gold medal in the marathon at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.