Police searching for pair who parachuted off Busan skyscraper

LCT residential building in Haeundae, Busan [YONHAP]

Two men believed to be foreigners allegedly parachuted from the 99th floor of Busan’s tallest building without permission on Thursday, Busan police said Sunday.

The authorities are currently tracing the whereabouts of the two suspects on suspicion of trespassing into the 101-story LCT residential building in Haeundae and leaping from the observation deck on the 99th floor on Thursday morning.

Police were dispatched after receiving a report that people had jumped from the building with a parachute, but were unable to identify them immediately.

The LCT is a 411-meter (1,348 feet) tall building with 101 floors above ground, and the police believe the pair jumped from the 99th floor where an observatory is located.

Police also believe that the suspects are so-called base jumping experts, thrill-seekers who jump from famous skyscrapers around the world with parachutes.

In 2019, two Russians were fined 5 million won ($3,750) each for trespassing after jumping from high-rise buildings in Haeundae, including the LCT. At the time, they were banned from leaving the country and were only able to depart after paying the fine.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]