Tongyeong Maritime Police Station, Late Sergeant Jeong Hojong's Tearful Funeral Ceremony ... "Hero, Rest in Peace"

Tongyeong Maritime Police Station Officer Jeong Ho-jong's Tearful Funeral Ceremony (Photo by Tongyeong Maritime Police Station)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] The funeral service for the late Police Sergeant Jeong Ho-jong of the Tongyeong Maritime Police Station, who tragically died in the line of duty while rescuing divers trapped in a sea cave off Hongdo, Tongyeong, Gyeongnam on the 6th, was held at 10:30 a.m. on the 9th at the Tongyeong Seoul Hospital Funeral Hall.

The funeral, conducted as a Namhae Regional Maritime Police Chief’s funeral (葬), was attended by Kim Hong-hee, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, Gu Ja-young, Chief of the Namhae Maritime Police Agency, fellow maritime police officers, and bereaved family members, who all shared tears on the deceased’s final journey.

Joining the force in January 2019 and serving at the Jangseungpo Rescue Base Police Substation, the late Sergeant Jeong Ho-jong was a model maritime police officer who never hesitated to perform his duties in dangerous rescue situations. In December last year, he was recognized for his outstanding work in a special crackdown on fishing vessels and received a commendation from the Tongyeong Maritime Police Station Chief.

Colleagues who worked closely with him said, “He was proactive in everything and a reliable junior who always tried hard to learn. We thought he would safely complete his mission and return, but now that he has left us like this, we cannot hold back our sorrow,” wiping away tears.

Chief Gu Ja-young expressed grief through an investigation, saying, “The pledge you wrote during your trainee days, ‘I want to learn more and experience with my body so that I can extend a last hopeful hand to those in need of rescue,’ pierces my heart deeply.”

The deceased was posthumously promoted one rank and awarded the Order of Okjo Geunjeong. After the funeral service, the funeral procession moved to the Tongyeong Municipal Crematorium.

The late Sergeant Jeong Ho-jong was temporarily laid to rest at Geoje Memorial Park and will be interred in the National Cemetery after the posthumous review process.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.