Cho Oyu | 1989 SE Face

A S Korea expedition to Cho Oyu in 1989 via SE Face, led by Lee Ho-Sang. Summit reached on 25th December 1989. 9 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field	Value
ID	400
Imported	2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
Host Country	1
Route 1	SE Face
Route 2	-
Route 3	-
Route 4	-
Nationality	S Korea
Leaders	Lee Ho-Sang
Sponsor	Korean Winter Cho Oyu Expedition
Success 1	False
Success 2	False
Success 3	False
Success 4	False
Ascent 1	-
Ascent 2	-
Ascent 3	-
Ascent 4	-
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Countries	-
Approach	-
Basecamp Date	1989-12-12
Summit Date	1989-12-25
Summit Time	-
Summit Days	13
Total Days	0
Termination Date	-
Termination Reason	6
Termination Notes	Abandoned at 7800m due to death of Sirdar Ang Lhakpa
High Point (m)	7800
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Camps	2
Fixed Rope (m)	0
Total Members	7
Summit Members	0
Member Deaths	0
Total Hired	6
Summit Hired	0
Hired Deaths	1
No Hired	False
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Taken	True
O2 Unknown	False
Other Summits	-
Campsites	BC(12/12,5400m),ABC(16/12,5500m),C1(18/12,6400m),C2(20/12,6800m),xxx(25/12,7800m)
Route Notes	C2 on East Face High point on SE Face. 25th Dec all Koreans in C2 with high-altitude headache so high climbers were Ang Lhakpa and Ang Tshering, only were above C2 making route to C3 to be pitched at 7900m. Ang Tshering reached 7600m and Ang Lhakpa fell 200m from 7800m down face at 3:20 pm (Ang Tshering saw him fall and came to rest). Avalanche took away C2 tent in which there was no one because climbers were out trying to reach Ang Lhakpa but then big snow avalanching carried away body and it not found. After his death, all Sherpas refused to climb any more and members therefore also abandoned climb. Had planned Sherpas would stock C3 and then an alpine-style summit bid from C3 by 3 Koreans and Ang Lhakpa. Team never intended to attempt SW Face and did not do so. Belgians suggested 2 teams climb together on 18th Dec but Koreans they talked to did not understand and did not agree. Belgians cut fixed ropes and seized new rope and this made Sherpas angry (Koreans also angry) and Sherpas attacked Belgians; Koreans did not join fight but separated Sherpas and Belgians (Lee was not at camp where fight took place). This team and Belgian-French party climbed on SE Face to the right of normal line used successfully by Austrian-German team in 1978. Highest point reached 7800m was gained by Ang Lhakpa Sherpa alone; he then fell 200m and a big snow avalanche immediately carried away his body. Other Sherpas refused to continue climb, and Koreans too gave up.
Accidents	Only Ang Lhakpa fatal fall
Achievement	-
Agency	-
Commercial Route	False
Standard Route	-
Primary Route	False
Primary Member	False
Primary Reference	-
Primary ID	-
Checksum	2453565
Year	1989
Summit Success	False
O2 Summary	None
Route (lowercase)	se face

Members

Field	Value
ID	4561
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	02
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Hyeon-Ku
Last Name	Jang
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1971
Calculated Age	18
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	Climber
Residence	Namhae, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	University student of sports
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2438859
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	hyeon-ku jang
Year of Birth	1971
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	18
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	4562
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	03
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Yeung-Hwan
Last Name	Jeong
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1934
Calculated Age	54
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	BC Manager
Residence	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	Retired government official
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	True
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2425699
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	yeung-hwan jeong
Year of Birth	1934
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	55
Role	BC Only

Field	Value
ID	4563
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	04
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Duk-Moon
Last Name	Kang
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1960
Calculated Age	28
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	Climber
Residence	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	Travel agent
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2435177
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	duk-moon kang
Year of Birth	1960
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	29
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	4564
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	01
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Ho-Sang
Last Name	Lee
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1953
Calculated Age	36
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	Leader
Residence	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	Travel agent
Leader	True
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2432316
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	ho-sang lee
Year of Birth	1953
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	36
Role	Leader

Field	Value
ID	4565
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	05
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Myong-Dong
Last Name	Lim
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1961
Calculated Age	28
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	Climber
Residence	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	Travel agent
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2435280
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	myong-dong lim
Year of Birth	1961
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	28
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	4566
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	06
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Jung-Hun
Last Name	Park
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1971
Calculated Age	18
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	Climber
Residence	Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	Just graduated from high school
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2438860
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	jung-hun park
Year of Birth	1971
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	18
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	4567
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	07
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Yang-Soo
Last Name	Sung
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1954
Calculated Age	35
Citizenship	S Korea
Status	Climber
Residence	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea
Occupation	Manager of mountain lodge
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	False
Sherpa	False
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	0
Summit Date 1	-
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	0
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	2432665
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	yang-soo sung
Year of Birth	1954
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	35
Role	Member

Field	Value
ID	4568
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	08
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Lhakpa Nuru (Ang Lhakpa)
Last Name	Sherpa
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	1963
Calculated Age	26
Citizenship	Nepal
Status	Sirdar
Residence	Khunde, Khumbu
Occupation	-
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	True
Sherpa	True
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	-
High Point (m)	True
Personal High Point (m)	7800
Summit Date 1	1989-12-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	1520
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	True
Death Date	1989-12-25
Death Time	1520
Death Type	4
Death Height (m)	7800
Death Class	3
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	Fall
Member Notes	-
Necrology	(1963-1989) Died 25 Dec 1989 on Cho Oyu from fall
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	-2151
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	1
Name (lowercase)	lhakpa nuru (ang lhakpa) sherpa
Year of Birth	1963
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	26
Role	Hired

Field	Value
ID	49116
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:05.675609
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Member ID	09
Peak ID	CHOY
Year	1989
Season	4
First Name	Ang Tshering
Last Name	Sherpa
Sex	M
Age	0
Birth Date	-
Year of Birth	-
Calculated Age	0
Citizenship	Nepal
Status	H-A Worker
Residence	-
Occupation	-
Leader	False
Deputy	False
Basecamp Only	False
Not to BC	False
Support	False
Disabled	False
Hired	True
Sherpa	True
Tibetan	False
Summit Success	False
Claimed	False
Disputed	False
Solo	False
Traverse	False
Ski	False
Paraglide	False
Speed	False
High Point (m)	False
Personal High Point (m)	7600
Summit Date 1	1989-12-25
Summit Date 2	-
Summit Date 3	-
Summit Time 1	-
Summit Time 2	-
Summit Time 3	-
Route 1	1
Route 2	0
Route 3	0
Ascent 1	0
Ascent 2	0
Ascent 3	0
O2 Used	False
O2 None	True
O2 Climb	False
O2 Descent	False
O2 Sleep	False
O2 Medical	False
O2 Notes	-
Death	False
Death Date	-
Death Time	-
Death Type	0
Death Height (m)	0
Death Class	0
AMS	False
Weather	False
Injury	False
Injury Date	-
Injury Time	-
Injury Type	0
Injury Height (m)	0
Death Notes	-
Member Notes	-
Necrology	-
Summit Bid	1
Summit Term	5
HCN	0
Checksum	-159
Summit Note 1	-
Summit Note 2	-
Summit Note 3	-
Death Route	-
Name (lowercase)	ang tshering sherpa
Year of Birth	-
Year	1989
Age at Expedition	-
Role	Hired

9 recorded members.

Name	Sex	Year of Birth	Citizenship	Status	Residence	Occupation
Hyeon-Ku Jang	M	1971	S Korea	Climber	Namhae, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	University student of sports	Details Other expeditions
Yeung-Hwan Jeong	M	1934	S Korea	BC Manager	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	Retired government official	Details Other expeditions
Duk-Moon Kang	M	1960	S Korea	Climber	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	Travel agent	Details Other expeditions
Ho-Sang Lee	M	1953	S Korea	Leader	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	Travel agent	Details Other expeditions
Myong-Dong Lim	M	1961	S Korea	Climber	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	Travel agent	Details Other expeditions
Jung-Hun Park	M	1971	S Korea	Climber	Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	Just graduated from high school	Details Other expeditions
Yang-Soo Sung	M	1954	S Korea	Climber	Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnam, S Korea	Manager of mountain lodge	Details Other expeditions
Lhakpa Nuru (Ang Lhakpa) Sherpa	M	1963	Nepal	Sirdar	Khunde, Khumbu	-	Details Other expeditions
Ang Tshering Sherpa	M	-	Nepal	H-A Worker	-	-	Details Other expeditions

References

Field	Value
ID	525
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Reference ID	01
Year	1989
Type	2
Journal	AAJ
Author	Hawley, Elizabeth
Title	-
Publisher	-
Publication Date	1990
Language	-
Citation	64:239 (1990)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	4535
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Reference ID	02
Year	1989
Type	3
Journal	MM
Author	-
Title	-
Publisher	-
Publication Date	1990
Language	-
Citation	132:11 (Mar 1990)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	11683
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Reference ID	03
Year	1989
Type	5
Journal	-
Author	-
Title	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199023901/Asia-Nepal-Cho-Oyu-Attempt-Tragedy-and-Assault
Publisher	-
Publication Date	-
Language	-
Citation	-
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	11687
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Reference ID	04
Year	1989
Type	2
Journal	AAJ
Author	Hubert, Alain
Title	-
Publisher	-
Publication Date	1990
Language	-
Citation	64:238-239 (1990)
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

Field	Value
ID	11688
Imported	2026-03-06 18:06:36.307770
Expedition ID	CHOY89402
Reference ID	05
Year	1989
Type	5
Journal	-
Author	-
Title	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199023803/Asia-Nepal-Cho-Oyu-Southeast-Face-Attempt-and-Assault
Publisher	-
Publication Date	-
Language	-
Citation	-
Yak 94	-
Notes	-

5 recorded references.

Expedition ID	Journal	Author	Title	Publisher	Citation	Yak 94
CHOY89402	AAJ	Hawley, Elizabeth	-	-	64:239 (1990)	-
CHOY89402	MM	-	-	-	132:11 (Mar 1990)	-
CHOY89402	-	-	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199023901/Asia-Nepal-Cho-Oyu-Attempt-Tragedy-and-Assault	-	-	-
CHOY89402	AAJ	Hubert, Alain	-	-	64:238-239 (1990)	-
CHOY89402	-	-	http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199023803/Asia-Nepal-Cho-Oyu-Southeast-Face-Attempt-and-Assault	-	-	-