SEOUL (AP) — A Briton was detained after scaling more than half of the world’s fifth-tallest skyscraper Monday without carrying anything in his hands, authorities said.
The man, in his 20s, reached the 72nd floor of the Lotte World Tower, a 123-story, 555-meter (1,820-foot) building in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
He reached about 1,020 feet (310 meters) before firefighters carried him to a gondola lift and carried him inside the building, the Seoul fire agency said in a statement.
More than 90 emergency personnel, police and other personnel were dispatched to the scene after the man was seen climbing the building on Monday morning, according to the statement.
South Korean media identified the man as free climber George King-Thompson. He was reportedly carrying a parachute and told police that he wanted to BASE jump from the top of the building.
Police authorities and firefighters did not immediately confirm the name of the Briton or his motive.
King-Thompson was arrested in 2019 after scaling London’s Shard – the UK’s tallest skyscraper at 1,020 feet (310 meters) – after the building’s owners filed charges against him for trespassing. He was sentenced to six months in jail and served three.
In 2021, he scaled the 36-story Stratosphere Tower, a residential block in London’s East Stratford, reaching the top in less than half an hour. He said he had chosen the building because he was shocked by the recent flash floods in the area and wanted to raise awareness about the seriousness of climate change.
Police confirmed that they had detained the man, but gave no further details.
