Man in his 70s dies in 40m fall at Gangwon hiking spot while taking photo
Version 2: A third outlet, Asia Economy, adds background on earlier falls in the Seoraksan area, including incidents in June, August and 2022, along with autumn hiking safety advice; the core account of the October 3 death is unchanged.
In short
A 71-year-old man died after falling about 40 metres near Sinseondae in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, while trying to take a photograph with Ulsanbawi in the background, police and fire authorities said. The report of the fall came at about 17:09 on October 3; he was found in cardiac arrest, flown by helicopter to a hospital in Sokcho and died during treatment. Police believe he lost his footing and are investigating, and one report notes several earlier falls in the Seoraksan area.
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A 71-year-old man died after falling about 40 metres near Sinseondae, also called Seongindae, in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, while trying to take a photograph with Ulsanbawi in the background, according to police and fire authorities. Maeil Business and Asia Economy, the latter citing Yonhap, reported the death; Seoul Shinmun carried a breaking-news headline describing a man in his 70s slipping to his death while photographing with Ulsanbawi behind him. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The report of the fall was received at about 17:09 on October 3, near Wonam-ri in Toseong-myeon, the reports said. The man was found in cardiac arrest and rescue authorities moved him by helicopter to a hospital in Sokcho, where he died during treatment. He had set out hiking alone, according to the reports. [ 1 , 3 ]
Police believe he lost his footing and slid down the cliff while trying to take a photo with Ulsanbawi in the background. They are investigating the exact circumstances and his movements, including by questioning witnesses at the scene, Maeil Business reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
Sinseondae is described as a hiking spot from which Ulsanbawi can be seen at a glance, and its open rocky ridge draws many visitors who come to photograph the view. Maeil Business noted that hikers who concentrate on the scenery or on taking pictures without properly checking the surrounding terrain can suffer falls and other accidents, and Asia Economy advised walkers to check the terrain first and keep a safe distance from cliffs during the autumn hiking season. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Asia Economy, citing Yonhap, listed other recent accidents in the area. On June 14, a man in his 50s fell while rock climbing at Ulsanbawi in Sokcho, and a rope dropped, leaving three companions in their 50s stranded until a rescue team reached them; the same day, a hiker in his 60s rolled about 10 metres down toward Dokju-gol valley from the Namseorak visitor centre and was airlifted with head and leg injuries. On August 1, a man in his 50s fell about 3 metres at Samhyeongje-gil near Biseondae and was treated by the national park special rescue team and the 119 rescue service before being flown to hospital. In September 2022, a man in his 50s fell about 20 metres to his death at Ulsanbawi; he had permission from the Korea National Park Service, the report said. [ 3 ]
The other documents do not report those earlier incidents and do not dispute the account of the October 3 death. Police said the investigation into the accident is continuing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The death highlights the risk of falls at rocky ridge viewpoints that draw hikers for photography; the reports note that visitors focusing on the view or on taking pictures without checking the terrain can slip. One outlet adds that falls have recurred in the Seoraksan area and advises caution during the autumn hiking season. The event itself is a local tragedy with limited consequence outside South Korea, and police say the circumstances are still being investigated.
Key facts
- A 71-year-old man fell about 40 metres near Sinseondae (Seongindae) in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, and died. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The fall was reported at about 17:09 on October 3 near Wonam-ri in Toseong-myeon. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He was found in cardiac arrest, taken by helicopter to a hospital in Sokcho and died during treatment. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He had gone hiking alone, and police believe he lost his footing while trying to photograph Ulsanbawi in the background. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Sinseondae is described as a hiking spot with a direct view of Ulsanbawi that draws many visitors who come to take photographs. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Asia Economy, citing Yonhap, lists earlier falls in the Seoraksan area, including a climber in his 50s at Ulsanbawi on June 14, a fall at Samhyeongje-gil near Biseondae on August 1, and a death at Ulsanbawi in September 2022. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A man aged 71 died after falling about 40 metres near Sinseondae in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, while trying to take a photo with Ulsanbawi in the background. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The fall was reported at about 17:09 on October 3 at Sinseondae, also called Seongindae, near Wonam-ri in Toseong-myeon. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He was found in cardiac arrest, moved by helicopter to a hospital in Sokcho and died during treatment. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He had set out hiking alone. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Police believe he lost his footing and slid down the cliff while trying to photograph Ulsanbawi, and are investigating the exact circumstances and his route. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What exactly caused the fall Police said they are investigating the circumstances; the account that he slipped while taking a photo is their working assessment.
- The time of death The documents say he died during treatment at a hospital in Sokcho but give no time.
- Whether anyone witnessed the fall Maeil Business says police are questioning witnesses at the scene, while both Maeil Business and Asia Economy say the man went hiking alone.
- The man's identity He is identified only as Mr. A, aged 71; no name, residence or other details are given.
- The earlier accidents in the Seoraksan area The June 14, August 1 and September 2022 incidents appear only in Asia Economy's report, which credits Yonhap, and are not covered by the other documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 3, authorities receive a report that a 71-year-old man fell about 40 metres near Sinseondae (Seongindae) in Goseong County, Gangwon Province. [ 1 , 3 ]
- On October 4, Maeil Business publishes a report citing police and fire authorities on the death. [ 1 ]
- On October 4, Seoul Shinmun publishes a breaking-news headline on the death. [ 2 ]
- On October 4, Asia Economy publishes a report credited to Yonhap that also recounts earlier falls in the Seoraksan area. [ 3 ]