Gwangju Nam-gu Council Urges Withdrawal of Reimbursement Claim for Rescue Costs of Late Captain Kim Hong-bin

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] On the 27th, the Nam-gu Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City issued a statement in the plenary session hall urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to withdraw its claim for reimbursement of rescue costs related to the late General Kim Hong-bin.

The members of the Nam-gu Council said, "General Kim Hong-bin, a sports hero of the Republic of Korea, climbed all 14 peaks of the Himalayas despite having no fingers on both hands, inspiring hope and courage to the people exhausted by COVID-19," and added, "Our government also recognized his life and challenges by awarding him the 1st Class Sports Medal, the Cheongryong Medal, and selected him as the 2021 Korea Sports Hero in December last year."

They criticized, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pursuing a soulless administration that contradicts the government's recognition of his achievements by claiming reimbursement for the fall and rescue costs based on the Consular Assistance Act."

Therefore, they demanded, "The government and the National Assembly should immediately withdraw the claim for reimbursement of rescue costs related to the late General Kim Hong-bin, establish measures to prevent recurrence, and promptly process the partial amendment of the Consular Assistance Act to exempt costs arising from overseas emergencies incurred during activities aimed at promoting national prestige."