Renowned Mountaineer Heo Young-ho Passes Away at 71

Heo Young-ho (허영호), a celebrated South Korean mountaineer, passed away on July 29, 2025, at the age of 71 after battling bile duct cancer. Heo made history as the first person to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents and reach the three poles: the North Pole, South Pole, and Mount Everest. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, the South Korean government awarded him several honors, including the Sports Medal of Honor in various categories.

Born in Jecheon, Chungbuk in 1954, Heo graduated from Jecheon High School and Cheongju University. He became the first Korean to conquer Mount Everest (8,848 meters) in winter in 1987. In May 2017, he set records for the oldest person from South Korea to summit Everest at the age of 63 and for the most ascents of Everest by a South Korean, with a total of six climbs.

Heo is particularly known for being the first individual to successfully reach the three poles: Everest in 1987, the South Pole in 1994, and the North Pole in 1995, as well as for climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents. His climbs included Everest, Aconcagua (6,959 meters) in South America, Denali (6,194 meters) in North America, Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) in Africa, Mount Kosciuszko (4,884 meters) in Australia, Elbrus (5,642 meters) in Europe, and Vinson Massif (5,140 meters) in Antarctica.

In addition to his mountaineering feats, Heo pursued a passion for aviation, obtaining a light aircraft pilot's license in 1998 and attempting to fly around the world. He survived a crash in 2007 off the coast of Wando, Jeollanam-do, after which he was rescued.

He is survived by a son, Heo Jae-seok (허재석), and a daughter, Heo Jeong-yoon (허정윤). His funeral will be held at Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul, with the burial taking place in Jecheon, Chungbuk on August 1, 2025, at 10:40 AM.