Ten colleagues lost Eom Hong-gil, the 16th Himalayan Wandeung, and it took 22 years (Avalokiteshvara)

By Jaewan, Ko

Jun 16, 2025

Ten colleagues lost Eom Hong-gil, the 16th Himalayan Wandeung, and it took 22 years (Avalokiteshvara)



Um Hong-gil, the world's first mountain climber to complete the 16 Himalayan ranks, will appear in 'Ask Anything'.

In the 320th episode of KBS Joy 'Ask Anything', which airs at 8:30 p.m. on the 16th, Um Hong-gil, a mountain climber, appears as the storyteller. Eom Hong-gil says that society seems to have become dry and harsh, and confides in his concerns that "the mind of being considerate, giving, and helping others seems to have weakened a lot."

Unlike usual, the broadcast will be held at Balwangsan Mountain in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do. Before the consultation, Um Hong-gil said, "I love Balwangsan so much.", "Whenever I'm stressed and having a hard time, I come here from time to time..." he reveals his mountaineer-like appearance. It then introduces the hiking trail named 'Um Hong-gil' that actually exists in Balwangsan Mountain, creating a pleasant atmosphere.




Eom Hong-gil confesses that he and Sherpa in charge are the only two people in the world who have succeeded in climbing the 16th Himalayan rank, "'It took 22 years to succeed in the 16th rank.'"

Ten colleagues lost Eom Hong-gil, the 16th Himalayan Wandeung, and it took 22 years (Avalokiteshvara)
He says he continued his challenge with a desperate heart, and eventually came out safely. Since then, he explained that he has seen children under the Himalayas without education and living without dreams, and has reduced the importance of education for sustainable change.

Eom Hong-gil has established a total of 22 schools in Nepal's Himalayas so far, adding that about 600 to 800 million won is spent on building one school. Then "When I see the children happy and studying hard, I feel more joy, emotion, and happiness."




Ten colleagues lost Eom Hong-gil, the 16th Himalayan Wandeung, and it took 22 years (Avalokiteshvara)
Lee Soo-geun, who heard the story, laughed, saying, "In fact, Chief Eom Hong-gil can run for the presidential election in Nepal", and explained, "That's how influential Nepal is". He then added that he hopes that Korea will become a society where people share warm affection by receiving the good energy of Eom Hong-gil.

Seo Jang-hoon also admires the story, saying "That's great".






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