By: Amy Qian

In South Korea, rock climbing has become an increasingly popular sport. With more than 600 climbing areas across the country and over 500,000 enthusiasts, rock climbing has experienced a significant jump in interest.

Koreans started to take on the sport in the 1990s. The popularity of the sport rose because of its presence in popular culture. For example, a 2019 Korean movie named “Exit” shows several rock-climbing scenes. Those scenes motivated many people to try rock-climbing for themselves.

In rock climbing, there are a range of events, each with its own challenges. Bouldering involves climbing short but complex routes without ropes. This endeavor requires strength, agility, and problem-solving skills. Lead climbing involves longer paths, which test the climbers’ stamina, endurance, and mental focus. Speed climbing is where climbers move from the start to finish as fast as they can.

Two young Korean rock climbers talked with __________ about their interest in this sport. “I took up climbing because I wanted to quit taekwondo (a Korean martial art),” said Shin Hyeon-gya, 12. “I got hooked after watching the Asian Games and seeing climbers in action.”

Kim Ji-eun, who is also 12, said she was designed for rock-climbing. “I enjoyed climbing things when I was little,” she said, “So climbing seemed like the perfect sport for me.”

Both athletes expressed similar feelings of joy. “It’s fun to hang on the wall and use the strength in my arms,” Hyeon-gyu said. “Climbing feels like playing,” Ji-eun added, “or being on a ride at an amusement park.”

If you ever want to try rock climbing yourself, Seoul is a great place to go to, with lots of different places to visit. It is a particularly gorgeous experience because there is rock everywhere, predominantly granite, and the Korean locals are very friendly. Even if you have a language barrier, they are usually accepting, and you can figure communication out with hand signals.

Image Credit by Allan Mas