Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education Prays for Safe Return of Mountaineer Captain Kim Hong-bin

Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education wished for the safe return of Expedition Leader Kim Hong-bin, who went missing while descending the mountain. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education on the 20th prayed for the safe return of Kim Hong-bin (57, Honorary Ambassador of Hope Jeonnam Education), the leader of the Broad Peak expedition team, who went missing during descent after successfully completing the ascent of all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters as the first disabled person.

The ‘2021 Broad Peak Expedition’ led by Captain Kim Hong-bin succeeded in climbing Broad Peak (8,047m), the third highest peak in the Karakoram Range in northeastern Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on the 18th. Kim is the first disabled person to complete all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters.

Better known as the ‘disabled mountaineer without ten fingers,’ Captain Kim reportedly sent a message via radio after the successful ascent, saying, “To the people of the Republic of Korea exhausted by COVID-19, if disabled person Kim Hong-bin can do it, everyone please stay strong.”

However, Captain Kim went missing after requesting rescue due to an accident during descent. A Russian rescue team launched a rescue operation, but contact was lost after a fall during the rescue process.

Captain Kim Hong-bin was appointed as the ‘Honorary Ambassador of Hope Jeonnam Education’ by the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education in 2017 and has been actively involved in supporting Jeonnam students’ ‘Himalaya Hope School’ expeditions and the construction of the ‘Nepal Jeonnam Human School.’

After receiving the sad news, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education posted a message on its official social media channels on behalf of all staff, saying, “We pray for the safe return of the Honorary Ambassador of Hope Jeonnam Education.”

Superintendent Jang Seok-woong said, “With an indomitable spirit of challenge, he succeeded in climbing all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters, giving great hope to everyone, but the heartbreaking news of his disappearance during descent is very painful. I hope Captain Kim will be safely rescued and return to bring even greater hope to the children, the future leaders, as the Honorary Ambassador of Jeonnam Education.”

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