Jeju records 2,547 mountain accidents in five years; slips and falls already reach 91% of last year’s total

【Financial News Jeju = Yong-bok Jeong】 Jeju recorded 107 mountain accidents involving slips and falls through August this year, equivalent to 90.7% of the 118 such accidents recorded throughout last year. With 2,547 mountain accidents occurring over the past five years, Jeju firefighters have issued a mountain-safety accident advisory ahead of the increase in autumn visitors.
According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters on the 11th, Jeju Province recorded a total of 2,547 mountain accidents from 2021 to 2025. Of these, 650 occurred during the autumn months of September through November, accounting for 25.5% of the total.
Autumn hikes attract more visitors because of the cool weather and fall foliage, but sunset comes earlier, while large temperature swings and sudden weather changes can occur. Because oreum volcanic cones are spread throughout Jeju Province in addition to Hallasan, tourists as well as local hikers must be included in mountain-safety management.
Getting lost or becoming stranded was the most common cause, accounting for 1,385 cases, or 54.4% of the total. Slips and falls accounted for 386 cases, or 15.2%, followed by personal medical conditions with 272 cases, or 10.7%, and exhaustion or dehydration with 97 cases, or 3.8%.
Recently, accidents involving slips and falls have shown a particularly notable increase. Such accidents rose from 29 in 2021 to 72 in 2022, 82 in 2023, and 85 in 2024, before reaching 118 last year. This year, 107 cases had already occurred by the end of August, with four months remaining until the end of the year.
In other words, 90.7% of last year’s total had occurred within just eight months. Fire authorities explained that hikers should avoid overexerting themselves, particularly while descending, as many accidents occur when people misstep or lose their balance during a hike.
Accidents also tend to occur during hours that overlap with the descent. Over the past five years, 1,245 mountain accidents occurred between noon and 5 p.m., accounting for 49% of the total. The risk rises during this period as hikers become more fatigued than at the start of their hike and many people begin descending at the same time.
Jeju Province recorded 414 mountain accidents through the end of August this year. By cause, there were 240 cases of getting lost or becoming stranded, 107 slips and falls, 41 cases of exhaustion or dehydration, and 18 cases involving personal medical conditions.

Accidents have also been reported across Jeju Province. Of the 2,961 mountain accidents recorded from 2021 through August this year, 1,354 occurred in eastern townships and villages, accounting for 45.7%. Western townships and villages recorded 669 cases, or 22.6%, followed by urban areas of Jeju City with 597 cases, or 20.2%, and urban areas of Seogwipo City with 341 cases, or 11.5%.
The eastern townships and villages attract many visitors because oreum volcanic cones are concentrated there and the area is easily accessible. This is why Jeju needs mountain-safety measures tailored not only to Hallasan but also to its oreum volcanic cones and tourist attractions.
Jeju firefighters are strengthening both rescue operations and on-site prevention activities in preparation for an increase in accidents during the autumn season.
On the 9th and 10th, the 119 Special Response Unit conducted special rescue training based on simulated mountain accidents, including slips and falls. The training assessed the unit’s ability to safely rescue and transport injured people in terrain that is difficult for rescuers to access.
On weekends, mountain-safety monitors also operate with volunteer firefighters in areas with many visitors, including Gwaneumsa Temple and the Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. They provide visitors with safety guidance and support initial response efforts when emergencies occur.
Jeju firefighters urged hikers to check weather information and sunset times before setting out and to choose a course suited to their physical condition. They also stressed the importance of using designated trails, carrying water and emergency food, and allowing enough time to descend before dark.
In the event of becoming lost or injured, hikers should call 119 rather than attempting to move unnecessarily and should provide the number on a nearby mountain-location marker so rescuers can quickly determine their location.
Park Jin-su, head of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters, said, "Autumn is a season when the risk of mountain accidents also increases as more visitors come to enjoy the cool weather and fall foliage. Hikers should check safety rules before setting out and choose a hike suited to their physical condition."


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