Goheung County Council Issues Statement Urging Cancellation of Reimbursement Claim for Rescue Costs of Late Captain Kim Hong-bin from Goheung

Condemning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Behavior Demanding Gwangju Sanak Federation Bear Rescue Costs Despite Recognizing National Honor

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] The Goheung County Council in Jeollanam-do (Chairman Lee Jae-hak) urged on the 26th to "cancel the claim for reimbursement of rescue costs for Captain Kim Hong-bin, a native of Goheung."

In a statement issued that day, the Goheung County Council expressed deep regret, saying, "The late Captain Kim Hong-bin, a hero of the Republic of Korea from Goheung who overcame disabilities and was the first to summit the highest peaks of the seven continents and all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, went missing while descending from the summit of Broad Peak and ultimately did not return, leaving us."

They added, "The achievements of the late Captain Kim Hong-bin, who was posthumously awarded the Blue Dragon Order, a first-class sports medal, by the government for enhancing national prestige, and his message to give dreams and hope to people exhausted by COVID-19, have been completely tarnished by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' claim for reimbursement."

Furthermore, they condemned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' behavior, stating, "While nationally recognizing his contribution to enhancing national prestige, the Ministry's demand that the Gwangju Mountaineering Federation bear the rescue costs is unacceptable," and declared, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' lawsuit, which goes against public sentiment, should be withdrawn."

The Goheung County Council demanded ▲ the government immediately withdraw the lawsuit claiming reimbursement of rescue costs for Captain Kim Hong-bin ▲ and promptly revise the consular assistance law, which is out of touch with reality.

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr

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