Captain Kim Hong-bin's Wife: "I Believe He Will Return If He Can Cross the China Border... My Husband Is Definitely Alive"

'Mountain climber without ten fingers' Captain Kim Hong-bin (57) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The wife of Captain Kim Hong-bin (57), who went missing while descending after completing the ascent of all 14 Himalayan peaks, appealed for a swift search.

On the 22nd, Captain Kim's wife met with reporters at the Gwangju City Disabled Sports Center and said, "The last call with my junior indicated that he was conscious and capable of making clear and accurate judgments. I am trying not to lose hope until the very end," adding, "The local weather was bad, but as it has improved, if the helicopter can cross the Chinese border where Captain Kim fell, I firmly believe he will return."

Reading from a prepared statement, she choked up with emotion.

She said, "Currently, Captain Kim's missing location is confirmed to be on the Chinese side. However, the search has not been possible due to delays in permission from the Chinese government," and added, "Since it is Chinese territory, we cannot go without approval. I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani government will actively work to obtain helicopter flight permission from the Chinese government."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that two helicopters from the Pakistani Army Air Rescue Unit are on standby in Skardu, a city near Broad Peak, at the request of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A Chinese joint rescue team, including professional climbers and medical staff, has also arrived near the accident site, but due to unstable local weather, it is known that rescue helicopters have found it difficult to take off even on the fourth day after the distress.

Earlier, disabled mountaineer Captain Kim, who has no ten fingers, successfully summited Broad Peak in Pakistan on the 18th, but lost contact after falling below an ice wall (crevasse) at the 7,900m point while descending.

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