'Seoraksan Missing' 70s Found Alive After Three Days... "Kept Moving to Stay Awake"

Lost During Same-Day Hiking... Chose a Difficult Course
"Avoid Deep Sleep and Save Battery"

A man in his 70s missing in Seoraksan miraculously rescued after three days. Photo by Seoraksan National Park Office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A man in his 70s who got lost while hiking in Seoraksan miraculously returned alive after three days.

He wandered alone in the mountains day and night for three days, staying lightly asleep to maintain his body temperature, eating meals with the packed lunch he brought, conserving his portable battery, and waiting for rescue, ultimately returning safely to his family.

According to the Gangwon Provincial Fire Headquarters, Seoraksan National Park Office, and police on the 16th, Mr. A (77) took an intercity bus to Seoraksan on the 13th for hiking.

Mr. A chose a difficult and rugged course, ascending Jangsu-dae, passing Gwitaegicheongbong, and descending to Hangyeryeong.

Choosing a course that even a healthy adult male would find difficult to descend before sunset, Mr. A eventually got lost and wandered in the mountains without being able to descend.

When Mr. A, who went hiking for a day trip, did not return, his family reported him missing around 9 p.m. that same day.

After wandering day and night in the mountains, on the afternoon of the third day, the 15th, at 5:29 p.m., Mr. A barely caught a communication signal and sent a 119 text message saying, "I am near a valley, but it is very cold. Please rescue me," and was rescued about four hours later near Gwitaegigol.

Based on the signal caught by the Baekdamsa base station, about 70 people including the 119 rescue team, Seoraksan National Park rescue team, and police divided into seven groups and conducted a persistent search, eventually finding Mr. A.

At the time of discovery, Mr. A showed severe exhaustion but had no injuries. He was transferred to a hospital in Seoul and is reported to be in stable condition.

During the missing period, the lowest temperature in Seoraksan dropped below freezing, but Mr. A stayed awake almost all night to prevent his body temperature from dropping and kept moving without rest. It is reported that he endured thanks to carrying a neck warmer, padding, and a hat.

Mr. A also turned off his mobile phone to save battery when no signal was available and refrained from using the portable battery as much as possible.

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