Two South Korean mountaineers rescued in Ladakh, one dies

The deceased was identified as Hyun Woo Kim.

The army said the South Korean couple fell critically ill near Kongmarula, an isolated peak of Ladakh on Thursday, following which a high-altitude night rescue operation was carried out. The mountaineers were flown to Sonam Nurboo Memorial Hospital in Leh for urgent treatment. However, one of them could not survive.

A defence spokesperson stated that a daring casualty evacuation was executed by the Indian ArmyIndian ArmyIndian Army Aviation Thursday night. “Requisition was received to evacuate a foreign national of the Republic of Korea , Hyun Woo Kim alongwith his wife,” he said.

The location posed significant challenges, an altitude of over 17,000 feet and treacherous snow-covered peaks of Ladakh, he added. The mission required a precise NVG (night vision goggles) landing at an unprepared helipad, demanding exceptional piloting skills and situational awareness.