Kim Hong-bin Missing After Himalaya Summit, Gwangju City Activates 'Countermeasure Committee'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Hong-bin, the first disabled mountaineer to complete all 14 Himalayan 8000m peaks, and the leader of the Broad Peak expedition team, went missing after being stranded during descent, prompting Gwangju Metropolitan City to provide support.

On the 20th, Gwangju City announced that it has launched an 'Accident Response Committee' to ensure the safe return of Captain Kim Hong-bin.

Captain Kim successfully summited Broad Peak (8043m), the third highest peak in the Karakoram range in northeastern Pakistani Kashmir, at 4:58 PM local time on the 18th (8:58 PM Korean time). He is the first disabled person to complete all 14 Himalayan 8000m peaks.

After the summit, Captain Kim went missing during the descent. Although he was found by the rescue team, he reportedly went missing again.

In 1991, while climbing Denali (6194m), the highest peak in North America, alone, Captain Kim lost all ten fingers and had his wrist amputated. It was a devastating accident for a mountaineer, and he struggled for a long time, but he regained his spirit and strengthened his will by climbing from Hallasan to Baekdusan again.

With the help of seniors and juniors, Captain Kim made a comeback and set out to conquer the highest peaks of the seven continents and all 14 Himalayan peaks, completing 13 peaks by 2009.

He challenged himself to climb the last remaining Broad Peak to deliver a message of hope to people struggling due to COVID-19, and achieved this great feat, but his disappearance during the descent shocked many.

As a result, messages wishing for his safe return have been pouring in from political circles, citizens, and various sectors.

Gwangju City also formed a response committee with Jo In-cheol, Vice Mayor of Culture and Economy, as chairman; Pi Gil-yeon, President of the Gwangju Mountaineering Federation, as head of the headquarters; and Kim Jun-young, Director of Culture, Tourism, and Sports, as the working-level leader. The committee includes officials from Gwangju City, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea Alpine Federation, the Gwangju Mountaineering Federation, and the Gwangju Disabled Sports Association.

The committee plans to request more active cooperation from the government, Pakistan, and China if necessary.

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