Gwangju Buk-gu Council Urges Withdrawal of Claim for Reimbursement of Late Captain Kim Hong-bin's Rescue Costs

Government Charges Gwangju City Mountaineering Federation Approximately 68 Million Won for Late Captain Kim Hong-bin's Rescue Costs

The Deceased's Noble Spirit That Moved People Worldwide Must Not Fade

On the 1st, the Gwangju Buk-gu Council urged the withdrawal of the claim for reimbursement of rescue costs for the late Captain Kim Hong-bin. Photo by Buk-gu Council

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] The Gwangju Buk-gu Council issued a statement on the 1st urging the government to withdraw its claim for reimbursement of the rescue costs for the late Captain Kim Hong-bin.

In the statement, the Buk-gu Council expressed sorrow, saying, "The late Captain Kim Hong-bin was a mountaineer with a disability who challenged high peaks to promote national prestige. He went missing while descending after summiting Broad Peak and never returned to us."

They added, "He was a Korean citizen who gave great comfort and inspiration to people worldwide by being the first disabled person to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents and complete all 14 Himalayan peaks. It is heartbreaking that the government's claim for reimbursement has tarnished his noble spirit of challenge."

They also strongly criticized, saying, "It is self-contradictory for the government, which posthumously awarded him the Blue Dragon Medal, a first-class sports medal, to now file a claim for reimbursement."

They concluded, "The government, which has the duty to protect the lives, bodies, and property of its citizens, should immediately withdraw the claim for reimbursement so that the public can take pride in the courage and sacrifice shown by the late Captain."

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong ks7664@asiae.co.kr

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