Woman Rescued After Seven-Hour Operation in South Korea's Seoraksan National Park
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A 60-year-old woman was rescued after falling about 15 meters into a valley in Seoraksan National Park.
- Rescue efforts took seven hours due to difficult terrain and bad weather preventing helicopter use.
- Park officials urged visitors to follow safety guidelines, especially during the rainy season.
A 60-year-old woman was rescued after a seven-hour operation in South Korea's Seoraksan National Park, following a fall of approximately 15 meters into a valley. The incident occurred near Dumunpokpo Falls in Inje County.
Rescue teams, including 19 members from the Seoraksan National Park Special Rescue Team, nine from the 119 fire department, and two from the Yongdae Mountain Rescue Team, were dispatched immediately after the report. However, adverse weather conditions made helicopter deployment impossible. This forced the rescue teams to rely on a land-based operation, carrying the injured woman via a stretcher through the challenging terrain.
The woman sustained significant leg injuries and showed signs of hypothermia. She was eventually transferred to a 119 ambulance around 6:40 p.m. after the extensive rescue effort concluded. The incident highlights the dangers of hiking in the region, particularly during the monsoon season.
Officials from the Seoraksan National Park office emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols. They noted that trails can become very slippery during the summer rainy season and advised hikers to pay close attention to their footing and follow all safety regulations to prevent similar accidents.
During the summer rainy season, the trails are very slippery due to frequent rainfall. Please pay close attention to your footing and strictly follow safety rules when hiking.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.