JAKARTA - Kim Hong-bin has just realized his dream, conquering the peaks of the 14th highest mountain in the world, Broad Peak in the Karakoram Mountains, North Pakistan which is included in the roof landscape of the world, the Himalayan Region, when it fell and was lost on its way down last July. .
His success in climbing 14 of the world's highest mountain peaks, all of which have a height of more than 8,000 meters above sea level, made him the first disabled climber to achieve this feat.
"No one believes me when I climb mountains that are higher than 8,000 meters. People think, 'He'll stop after a while,' or say, 'You don't have to do this anymore, you've tried so hard.' Kim in a 2019 interview, citing The Washington Post July 26.
"No one told me if I could go all the way. But, I dream, I can do it and I will not stop until I achieve my dream," continued Kim, who came from South Korea, at the time.
Kim is believed to have fallen into a ravine in bad weather while descending from the 8,047 meter (26,400 ft) peak of the Broad Peak Himalayan mountain, on the Pakistan-China border.
After a week-long search, including the deployment of helicopters that circled the mountaintop six times, showed no sign of Kim's whereabouts, the family decided to stop the search operation.
The wife decided it was realistically difficult for Kim to survive the fall in the harsh weather conditions in the Himalayas. Kim had previously advised his wife to make sure there were no additional accidents caused by the search effort if there was news of him missing, the family said in a statement.
The mountaineer's story of fortitude, fearless determination and love for his sport received global attention. When Kim reached the summit, South Korean President Moon Jae-in congratulated him and thanked him for his inspiration.
"You have brought pride and hope to a nation exhausted by the coronavirus pandemic. You have given great strength and confidence to people with disabilities around the world," President Moon said.
Kim suffered from frostbite while hiking in Alaska, United States in 1991, which required the amputation of all of his fingers and thumb. In a 2019 interview, Kim described her struggles to adjust to her new reality. "I couldn't even kill myself even if I wanted to, because I couldn't open the window. It was difficult." said Kim.
Kim has finally found joy in sports that use leg strength, such as skating, skiing, and cycling. He began to focus on his skills as a mountaineer and his goals.
He is surprised at his own abilities, finds strength in the most difficult climbing environments, overcomes challenges, even sets up a tent and cooks in the wilderness, and enjoys being in the mountains with his friends and hearing about their hiking trips.
Prior to the accident, he could not climb more than 3,000 meters (9,842 ft). But eventually, he climbed a mountain higher than 8,000 meters (26,246 feet), known as the 'death zone', due to the lack of oxygen so high above sea level.
"I can't avoid the blizzard. I can't avoid the gaps I can't see. But if I practice diligently, at least I can avoid some of those potential dangers," Kim assured.
Kim said he was determined to become the first person with a disability to climb the world's 14 highest peaks, hoping it would be an inspiration to others.
"Someone has to come out front and be first. That way, other people can see that it's possible. They can have the courage, that they can try it too. "My hope is that more people can make their dreams come true, both people with disabilities and teenagers "hope Kim
Citing Yonhap, the family began a five-day funeral procession for Kim on Wednesday August 4, with the culmination of the procession taking place this Sunday August 8 at Yeomju Gymnasium, Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul.
A memorial altar to Kim was set up on the first floor of the gym for mourners, with mountaineering equipment and other personal belongings placed on the altar decorated with white chrysanthemums.
As the funeral procession began, South Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee visited Kim's altar to pray, conferring the Cheongryong Medal, the South Korean Government's Highest Sports Award, to Kim.
Kim's portrait and mountaineering equipment will be enshrined at the funeral home, a Buddhist temple on Mount Mudeung, also in Gwangju, after the release ceremony on Sunday at 10 a.m. local time.
"Kim gave courage and hope to those exhausted by COVID-19. He is a hero who has left a meaningful gift to the world beyond the achievement of his personal goals," said one mourner. Goodbye Kim Hong-bin.
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