By: Leo Li

Did you know that rock climbing is increasingly becoming popular in South Korea? Student reporter Harry Kim from Scholastic Kids Press writes, “more than 600 climbing areas are scattered across this East Asian country of about 51.6 million people. More than 500,000 enthusiasts have taken up the sport for a challenge.”

Why is climbing so popular in Korea? Let’s dive into the information.

Rock climbing reached South Korea in the early 1990s. The sport includes a variety of categories, each having its own challenges, thrills, and memories. Bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing are some of the events in climbing. Each has its own excitement and attracts different groups of people.

You did monkey bars when you were little, right? Rock climbing, in my eyes, is like playing monkey bars vertically; instead of hanging on the bars, you need to use your arm strength to hang on to walls, and you also need to use your leg strength to balance yourself.

Rock climbing requires strength, agility, and intelligence, testing climbers’ physical endurance and mental focus. I would say this sport is very challenging, and because of the challenges climbers need to overcome during the sport, it gives great satisfaction when the climbers reach their destination. When I have the chance, I surely want to try rock climbing!

Image Credit by Daniel Torobekov