Gumi-si, First Local Government Nationwide to Conquer the Highest Peaks of the 7 Continents with the '7 Continents Highest Peak Expedition Team'

Welcome Ceremony Held for the Successful Ascent of the Vinson Massif Expedition Team
Disbandment Ceremony for the '7 Continents Highest Peaks Expedition Team' to Be Held in March

"In the extreme cold and strong winds, they finally reached the summit!"

Gumi City, Gyeongbuk Province, announced on the 12th that the '7 Continents Highest Peaks Expedition Team,' which succeeded in conquering the summit of Antarctica's Vinson Massif carrying the hopes of Gumi City and its citizens, has safely returned home in triumph.

Gumi City’s ‘7 Continents Highest Peak Expedition Team’ (from left, Baek Jong-deuk (5-time participant), Jang Heon-mu (participated in all 7 continental expeditions, 7 times), Kim Cheol-young (4-time participant)) are taking a commemorative photo with Kim Jang-ho, Mayor of Gumi City (second from right) at the welcome ceremony.
[Photo by Gumi City]

The expedition team shared this joyful news with citizens at a welcome ceremony held on the 10th in the main conference room of Gumi City Hall. About 70 people attended the event, including Mayor Kim Jang-ho of Gumi, Park Gyo-sang, Chairman of the Gumi City Council, city council members, sponsors, and representatives from the mountaineering federation, celebrating the team's achievement.

The expedition team departed for Antarctica on December 13 last year, arrived at the Antarctic base camp on the 18th, and began the full-scale climb on the 20th. After passing through the low camp and high camp, they finally reached the summit of Vinson Massif on the 24th, successfully completing the challenge. They returned home through Incheon Airport at 4 p.m. on the 9th, concluding their grand journey of climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents.

The expedition team consisted of Captain Jang Heon-mu, along with members Kim Cheol-young and Baek Jong-deuk. Despite the extreme cold and strong winds, they demonstrated unwavering spirit and achieved their goal. In particular, Captain Jang left a significant mark in the history of Korean mountaineering by conquering the highest peaks on all seven continents.

This ascent is the fruition of Gumi City's 7 Continents Highest Peaks Expedition Project, which began in 2012 and took 12 years to complete. It is recorded as the first case of a local government-led achievement of climbing all seven continental summits. This is an important accomplishment symbolizing Gumi City's challenge and passion.

Captain Jang Heon-mu said, "I am happy and deeply moved to have completed the 7 continents climbs," adding, "This achievement was possible thanks to the support of Gumi City, the Sports Council, and sponsors. I hope it delivers a message of challenge and hope to the citizens."

Mayor Kim Jang-ho of Gumi said, "The expedition team's spirit of challenge and success story are the pride and hope of Gumi citizens," emphasizing, "I hope this achievement raises Gumi City's international status and leads to the success of the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships to be held this year."

Gumi City plans to hold a disbandment ceremony for the '7 Continents Highest Peaks Expedition Team' in March to reflect on the journey and commemorate the expedition's achievements and significance.