A fatal fall killed an 11-year-old boy at Juwangsan National Park on Sunday. The boy disappeared while hiking alone toward the mountain’s peak. Rescue authorities found his body 100 meters from the summit at 10:25 a.m. Tuesday. Consequently, this fatal fall ended a three-day search involving more than 350 personnel. The sixth-grade student had traveled from Daegu with his parents. The family visited Daejeonsa, a Buddhist temple inside the national park.
Around noon Sunday, the boy told his parents he would go farther up the mountain. He then set out alone toward the 720-meter peak without a cellphone. The trail from the temple to the summit stretches about 2 to 3 kilometers. An adult typically needs 1 hour and 20 minutes each way. Therefore, his parents reported him missing later that day after he failed to return. North Gyeongsang police and fire authorities launched the search. Rescue workers found his body at approximately 10:13 a.m. Tuesday. Thus, the fatal fall likely occurred sometime after he left the temple.
Police believe the boy died after losing his footing on the mountain terrain. The steep and rocky paths near Juwangsan’s peak pose significant risks. Local authorities reminded hikers to stay on marked trails and carry communication devices. Police will conduct a thorough investigation into the exact circumstances of this fatal fall. They will examine trail conditions and any potential safety lapses. The national park may review signage and barrier installations. The boy’s school offered counseling services to his classmates.
