Asian First: Kim Young-mi Wins 3rd Kim Wansu Challenge Award for Solo Antarctic Crossing
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Kim Young-mi was awarded the 3rd Kim Wansu International Challenge Award for completing the first solo walk across Antarctica by an Asian. A seven-member jury from academia, education and media announced her selection on November 5. Former Environment Minister Lee Man-ui, chair of the jury, praised her pioneering spirit after she skied and walked alone for about 70 days, covering 1,786 km—making her the fourth person worldwide to achieve this feat. The Kim Wansu Award was established by the Challenge Korea Foundation to honor the adventurous spirit of Kim Wansu, an international environmental activist who visited the polar regions 26 times to raise awareness about global warming. Past winners include famed mountaineer Um Hong-gil (1st) and Dr. Hoesung Lee, former chair of the UN IPCC (2nd). The prize carries 50 million won and the award ceremony will be held in December.
