"Missing Kim Hong-bin" President Moon: "Waiting for Safe News Together with the People"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in prayed for the safe return of Captain Kim Hong-bin, who went missing on the descent from the Himalayas. Captain Kim, the first disabled person to successfully summit all 14 peaks of the Himalayas, went missing during the descent.

On the morning of the 20th, President Moon stated on social networking service (SNS), "It is truly distressing," and added, "Until the very end, I will hold onto hope and wait with the people for news of Captain Kim's rescue and safe return with a sincere heart."

The president had posted a congratulatory message on SNS the previous day celebrating Captain Kim's successful summit.

President Moon said, "Last night, I posted a congratulatory message for Captain Kim's completion of the 14 Himalayan peaks, but I have heard that he went missing on the descent and his current location is unknown," adding, "After hearing the news that contact was lost during the descent following the successful summit, I was anxious, then relieved and happy to hear he had been rescued and posted about it, but it seems another accident has occurred."

He continued, "At the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a rescue helicopter from Pakistan is scheduled to depart for the site today, and the Chinese embassy is also mobilizing available resources necessary for rescue operations," adding, "Although there have been some reports estimating fatalities, the information is not yet clear, so we have not given up hope."

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