Hiker found dead at Seoraksan after failing to descend from cable car

A hiker believed to have fallen near Gwongeumseong in Seoraksan National Park in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, was found dead Wednesday.

According to the Seoraksan National Park office, the cable car operator filed a report at around 8:18 p.m. Tuesday saying a hiker who had taken the cable car up to Gwongeumseong had not come back down.

Park officials launched a search of the Gwongeumseong area Tuesday, and during a drone-assisted search Wednesday morning they located a person believed to be the missing hiker about 70 meters from the upper cable car station.

The fire department received a report of the fall from the park office at around 10:09 a.m. Wednesday and dispatched a helicopter for the rescue operation.

The hiker was already dead when found.

Police are investigating the victim's identity and the circumstances of the accident.

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