In a daring act of free climbing, a British man was apprehended in Seoul after ascending over halfway up the world’s fifth-tallest skyscraper, relying solely on his bare hands. The incident unfolded on Monday, prompting the dispatch of more than 90 emergency personnel, police, and other authorities to the Lotte World Tower, a towering structure boasting 123 floors and reaching a staggering height of 1,820 feet.
The Seoul fire agency issued a statement, revealing that the man, believed to be in his 20s and identified by South Korean media as George King-Thompson, managed to reach the 72nd floor, which stands at approximately 31,020 feet above the ground. Subsequently, officials swiftly intervened, transferring him via a gondola lift to the interior of the building.
Although the motive behind his audacious feat remains unclear, reports indicate that King-Thompson was equipped with a parachute and allegedly expressed his intention to BASE-jump from the pinnacle of the skyscraper. However, the local fire and police authorities have yet to verify the man’s identity and ascertain his true motives.
This is not the first time King-Thompson has engaged in such daredevil activities. In 2019, he faced legal repercussions after scaling London’s Shard, the tallest skyscraper in the United Kingdom, measuring 310 meters (1,017 feet) in height. The building’s owners pressed charges against him for trespassing, leading to a six-month prison sentence, of which he served three months.
In 2021, King-Thompson continued his adventurous exploits by conquering the 36-story Stratosphere Tower in Stratford, East London, in under thirty minutes. His choice of this particular building stemmed from his shock at the recent flash floods in the area, aiming to raise awareness about the gravity of climate change.
The Lotte World Tower has witnessed similar incidents in the past. Notably, in 2018, French climber Alain Robert, also known as “Spiderman” for his audacious stunts, was detained after scaling the 75th floor. However, upon the tower officials’ request, charges of obstruction and trespassing were not pursued, and Robert was ultimately released and departed from South Korea.
This article was first published on USA TODAY.
