A British adventurer was apprehended on Monday after free-climbing over halfway up the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea, the fifth tallest skyscraper globally. The man, believed to be George King-Thompson, was observed ascending the 123-story, 1,820-foot building without any safety equipment, prompting a rapid response from over 90 emergency personnel, police officers, and other officials.

Authorities successfully intervened upon his reaching the 72nd floor, approximately 1,020 feet above ground. He was then brought inside the building using a gondola lift. Reports suggest King-Thompson carried a parachute and intended to BASE jump from the tower's peak, though authorities haven't officially verified this. He sustained a minor cut on his right knee during the climb.

This isn't King-Thompson's first high-profile climbing exploit. In 2019, he scaled the Shard in London, the UK's tallest skyscraper, resulting in a six-month prison sentence (of which he served three) for trespassing. Two years later, he climbed the 36-story Stratosphere Tower in London to raise awareness about climate change.

The Lotte World Tower has attracted other daredevil climbers in the past. In 2018, French climber Alain Robert, nicknamed "Spiderman," was also detained after climbing to the 75th floor. He was subsequently released without charges after Lotte officials declined to pursue legal action. Lotte Property & Development, the tower's operator, is currently deliberating on how to handle the latest incident.

A British man climbs Lotte World Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Seoul, South Korea, on June 12, 2023. The British man was detained Monday after climbing more than half way up, according to the authorities. (The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters, via AP)