Lee Bong-ju is a retired South Korean long-distance runner, known for his achievements in marathons. He gained international recognition after winning the prestigious 1996 Boston Marathon, where he set a personal best time of 2:07:42. His victory marked him as one of the top marathon runners of his era. In addition to his Boston win, Lee Bong-ju also represented South Korea in various international competitions, including the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Throughout his career, he contributed to the popularity of long-distance running in South Korea and inspired many aspiring athletes in the sport.