Son Chil-kyu graduated from the Department of Composition at Keimyung University. He climbed many kinds of Korean mountains as well as mountains in other countries.
The Gazette interviewed him and asked him some questions about his life and his thoughts about mountains.


1. I know you have climbed many mountains. Is there any particular reason why you started climbing?
In the 1970s, our society experienced many democratic movements. At that time, some students just stayed in music cafés, while others like me went climbing to spend their university life. However, we all had one thing in common in that we did not enjoy campus life and sometimes felt a feeling of doubt about life at that time.

2. Could you tell us what is the best mountain you have climbed until now?
In 1972, I went to the Andes in Argentina. I also went to Mount Everest in the Himalayas. It was a great experience to me. When I climbed Mt. Everest, I experienced a terrible accident. But, through the accident, I could be aware of the importance of my life, my family and my friends.

3. If you have any interesting episode mountain climbing, could you tell us about it?
In 1982, I climbed Mount Aconcagua alone. After climbing it, I fell down in a snow-slide. The situation was dangerous at that time. Fortunately, I was rescued and I was revived.

3. What is climbing to you?
Many people say that they can conquer mountains. As they say, anybody can conquer mountains and challenge them. That is, people try to challenge their limitations of human faculty through climbing. Through our ceaseless climbing challenges, I could experience many things and realize mountain climbing is the way we live a life with a life goal.

4. Finally, please leave one advice to Keimyung students.
I think that without any challenges, nobody can win a victory in life. If you experience a difficult situation now, remember endurance can conquer many difficulties and you can win.