Famed French climber nicknamed 'Spiderman' arrested 75 floors up South Korea skyscraper

"As far as I understand, I am under arrest, so ... the show must go on.”

ByJoohee Cho
June 6, 2018, 9:07 AM
French urban climber Alain Robert, center, is arrested after being intercepted during his climb of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
French urban climber Alain Robert, center, is arrested after being intercepted during his climb of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

SEOUL, South Korea -- Daredevil French climber Alain Robert was arrested by South Korea police Wednesday for scaling the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, authorities said.

PHOTO: French climber Alain Robert is seen on the external lift, after firefighters stopped him from climbing the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea, June 6, 2018.
French climber Alain Robert is seen on the external lift, after firefighters stopped him from climbing the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea, June 6, 2018.
Yonhap via Reuters
PHOTO: Urban climber Alain Robert of France scales the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Urban climber Alain Robert of France scales the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

Robert, dubbed the “French Spiderman,” was intercepted on the 75th floor of the 123-story building by police and authorities who fetched him on a maintenance cradle.

"I hope it won't be that bad,” Robert, 55, said at the time of arrest. “Up to today I have loved the people of South Korea. I have been telling my friend earlier that I can really appreciate everybody, [they're] all gentle.

“South Korea is an amazing country. As far as I understand, I am under arrest, so ... the show must go on.”

PHOTO: French urban climber Alain Robert, center, is arrested after being intercepted during his climb of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
French urban climber Alain Robert, center, is arrested after being intercepted during his climb of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: Urban climber Alain Robert of France scales the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Urban climber Alain Robert of France scales the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: Urban climber Alain Robert of France scales the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Urban climber Alain Robert of France scales the exterior of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, June 6, 2018.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

A Lotte worker spotted Robert climbing the outer wall without any safety gear in the morning. Fourteen fire trucks and 65 firefighters were deployed, authorities said.

Robert has gained fame -- and notoriety -- for scaling some of the world's tallest skyscrapers without permission, including Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.