By Lee Hyo-won

A Buddhist monk has initiated a charity marathon relay to build facilities in Vietnam.

Ven. Jino, known for athletic feats to raise funds for local immigrants and multicultural families, laced up his sneakers again Friday.

"I plan on running about 500 kilometers around Vietnam starting on Jan. 6, so that I can help build 108 bathrooms in rural schools here," Ven. Jino said Thursday.

The chief of Daedun Temple in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, plans to run between 50 and 70 kilometers per day until Jan. 13. He will return home on Jan. 16 after attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the restrooms.

Ven. Jino and members of the Gumi Maha Immigrant Center (also known as People Making Dreams Come True) will build 108 bathrooms in elementary and middle schools in rural areas over the next 10 years. Each facility costs around 2 million won and thus the entire project will require over 200 million won.

The occasion is in time with the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Vietnam. "We planned the event to strengthen the friendship between Korea and Vietnam, a relationship that spans 20 years, and also to promote the welfare of Vietnamese children," said the monk.

He added that he hopes to ameliorate any adverse sentiments that may linger toward Koreans as a result of local soldiers' actions during the Vietnam War, as there are many "hate monuments" that stand around the Southeast Asian country.

"One cannot ignore these things," he said. "I think showing the Vietnamese acts of love over the next decade may help mend past wrongdoings."

Meanwhile the monk is following through with the marathon despite ill health. "I visited the hospital the other day to get a shot. It's painful but I hope I can help raise public awareness by running."

Ven. Jino also plans to return to Vietnam in August to run 108 kilometers and embark on a 700-kilometer marathon to promote messages of peace in Germany in September.

Those that wish to help can wire cash gifts to "Ggumeul iruneun saramdeul" (People Making Dreams Come True). The account number for NH Bank is 301-0088-4874-71. Donors can check details of their contributions at www.maha108.net.