RISKING EVERYTHING
YOU South Africa|5 October 2023
His driving need to climb the world's highest buildings means he's constantly putting his life in danger or facing the threat of arrest. But British daredevil free-climber George King says there's no point trying to stop him  
SIMON USBORNE
RISKING EVERYTHING

HE WAS nearing the 70th floor of Lotte World Tower in Seoul, more than halfway up the world’s sixth-tallest building. Wearing only shorts, shoes and a para chute on his back, George King was determined to climb right to the very top.

The Korean skyscraper is comparable in shape to The Shard, the 310-metre London landmark that turned George’s passion into a precarious living when he made headline news after climbing it in 2019. But at 555 metres, the Lotte World Tower, which was finished in 2016, would be a much bigger test.

The British daredevil free climber spent six months planning his biggest stunt yet.

A key point in this plan was to make a clean getaway. After reaching the building’s summit, 123 floors above the streets of Seoul, he would jump, taking less than a minute to glide back down, as far from the tower as his canopy would take him.

He would then don a disguise (or at least a cap and some actual clothes) and jump on a plane back to London before anyone could identify him.

George (24) was sweating profusely as he climbed the tower’s west face early one Monday morning in June. Following his every move was a drone camera, deployed by his sponsor, a UK vape brand that was paying him to attempt the dangerous climb.

He was making good progress, until, not far above the halfway point, he spotted two anxious faces a few floors above him and to his right.

A man and woman wearing hard hats and high-visibility vests were gripping the sides of a maintenance cradle as it and its crane emerged from a large hatch in the building.

Nobody had previously attempted to intercept George during a climb, for fear of causing him to fall.

Esta historia es de la edición 5 October 2023 de YOU South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición 5 October 2023 de YOU South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE YOU SOUTH AFRICAVer todo
DIDDY'S DISGRACE
YOU South Africa

DIDDY'S DISGRACE

A video showing singer Cassie being attacked by Sean Diddy Combs reveals the disturbing reality of their relationship

time-read
4 minutos  |
06 June 2024
THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN
YOU South Africa

THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN

Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fast becoming one of the top talents in the English Premier League

time-read
4 minutos  |
06 June 2024
OODLES OF POODLES
YOU South Africa

OODLES OF POODLES

Kaz’s latest dog show triumph is the culmination of years as one of the world’s top trainers of the breed

time-read
4 minutos  |
06 June 2024
MY LIFE IS PURE HELL
YOU South Africa

MY LIFE IS PURE HELL

A reader wrote to YOU recounting her harrowing experience of living with a narcissist for decades. Pieter Van Zyl relays her story

time-read
4 minutos  |
06 June 2024
THE LOTTO CURSE
YOU South Africa

THE LOTTO CURSE

Over the years Andy Carter has helped 2 000 lottery winners adapt to life as newly minted millionaires. Here he shares the worst mistakes he’s seen people make and reveals why instead of being a passport to freedom, a jackpot win can actually make things far more complicated

time-read
8 minutos  |
06 June 2024
IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ADHD
YOU South Africa

IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ADHD

We ask experts to explain the rise in late diagnosis of the condition in women

time-read
5 minutos  |
06 June 2024
BITTER SWEET
YOU South Africa

BITTER SWEET

Arina was diagnosed with cancer while carrying her miracle baby and made the tough choice to start chemo while pregnant

time-read
4 minutos  |
06 June 2024
SHE'S GOT THE POWER
YOU South Africa

SHE'S GOT THE POWER

Monica Lewinsky was on suicide watch after the humiliating Bill Clinton scandal, but she has now turned her life around and become a force to be reckoned with

time-read
5 minutos  |
06 June 2024
IT'S ALL OVER!
YOU South Africa

IT'S ALL OVER!

For 26 years she was the Bok coach’s support system on the side lines – travelling with him for work, taking care of the kids and celebrating his world cup victories. Now Rassie and Nicolene have divorced

time-read
7 minutos  |
06 June 2024
JUST NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK!
YOU South Africa

JUST NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK!

Separate houses, time apart, fundamental differences – fears are mount for Ben and Jen’s marriage

time-read
7 minutos  |
06 June 2024