By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The government has finally rolled up its sleeves to improve South Korea's subpar athletics infrastructure.
Yu In-chon, the minister of culture, sports and tourism, unveiled a plan government plan Wednesday to spend 390 billion won ($262 million) on sports until 2012.
It aims to nurture 10 events in which Korean athletes are expected to land in the top 10 at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu in 2011 and winning medals in the London Olympics in 2012.
South Korea has been without winners in biennial track and field since the nation's initial Olympic participation in 1948, when it claimed one gold and one silver.
The Korea Athletics Federation (KAF) has increased its cash-awards.
Though unlikely, setting a world record in the men's 100 meters and marathon would reap a reward of one billion won.
Breaking the 10 second mark in the 100-meter race or 2 hours and 5 minutes in the marathon would lead to 500 million won, while improving on the more than 20-year old Korean record in the men's 100 and 200 and the women's 200 and 800 guarantees 15 million won.
In addition, they will invite renowned foreign coaches in several events and build an indoor stadium near Daegu Stadium, the main stadium of the 2011 world championships.