Fell to His Death While Taking a Photo: Man in His 70s Dies After 40m Fall at Sinsundae
Accident Occurs on Rocky Ridge at Sinsundae Summit; Victim Dies During Treatment
Seoraksan Sees Series of Rock Climbing and Valley Falls This Year
A man in his 70s died after falling while taking photos with Ulsanbawi Rock as the backdrop at Sinsundae (Seongindae) on Mount Geumgang, Goseong County, Gangwon Province.
According to Yonhap News Agency, citing police and fire authorities on October 4, at around 5:09 p.m. the previous day, a 71-year-old man, identified by his surname only as Mr. A, fell approximately 40 meters from a spot near Sinsundae in Wonam-ri, Toseong-myeon, Goseong County, Gangwon Province.
Immediately after the accident, he was rescued in a state of cardiac arrest and transported by helicopter to a hospital in Sokcho, where he died during treatment. At the time, Mr. A was hiking alone and is believed to have slipped and fallen while trying to take a photo with Ulsanbawi Rock in the background. Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident, interviewing witnesses and collecting further information.
Sinsundae is a popular destination for hikers, offering a panoramic view of Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan Mountain. In particular, the summit area features open rocky ridges, and many visitors come specifically to take photos with Ulsanbawi Rock as a backdrop.
As a result, the Seoraksan area continues to see frequent falling accidents. On June 14, a man in his 50s fell from a rock face while climbing at Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan, Sokcho. During the incident, the rope dropped downward, causing three of his fellow climbers—also in their 50s—to become stranded on the cliff, and rescue teams were mobilized to save them.
On the same day, a female hiker in her 60s who was hiking from the Namseorak Visitor Center toward Dokjugol Valley also rolled down about 10 meters, sustaining injuries to her head and legs, and was airlifted to a hospital. On August 1, another man in his 50s fell about 3 meters while rock climbing on Samhyeongje-gil near Biseondae in Seoraksan Mountain. At that time, both the National Park Special Rescue Team and 119 Rescue Squad provided emergency aid and transported him to a hospital by helicopter.
Fatal accidents have also occurred at Ulsanbawi Rock in the past. In September 2022, a man in his 50s died after falling about 20 meters while climbing Ulsanbawi Rock. It was confirmed that he had received official approval from the Korea National Park Service for his climb at that time.
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During the autumn season, the number of hikers increases as people visit the mountains to see the autumn foliage, making it especially important to exercise caution on rocky ridges or steep slopes. In particular, anyone moving to take photos near cliffs or rocks should check the terrain in advance and ensure they keep a sufficient distance from the edge, as there is a risk of slipping or losing balance.
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