President Moon's Special Condolences to the 'Uiamho Bereaved Families'

President Moon comforts bereaved families after Police Day ceremony... Blue House: "Tragic incident during urgent rescue, a noble death"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "I was very saddened to hear the news of the accident, but amidst the sorrow, today became an opportunity to reflect on its meaning once again." On the 21st, President Moon Jae-in, who attended the 75th Police Day ceremony, said this after the event as he approached the bereaved family of the late Sergeant Lee Jong-woo, who died in the Uiamho boat accident.

The Uiamho boat accident occurred on August 6th when the management company reported that an artificial waterweed island was drifting away. Sergeant Lee, a Chuncheon City Hall official, and a temporary worker were working to secure the waterweed island when the boat capsized, resulting in five deaths and one missing person.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, explained, "At that time, the police patrol boat was captured on CCTV trying to rescue the company’s boat until the very end, braving the strong currents," adding, "In that urgent moment, they tried to rescue each other but ended up caught in the accident together."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Kang said, "The essence of this Uiamho boat accident is that civilians, government officials, and police worked together to retrieve the waterweed island, and when faced with a desperate situation, they did not turn away but tried to help each other, resulting in the tragedy," and explained, "In that regard, President Moon regards Sergeant Lee’s death as a ‘righteous death.’ That is why he mentioned reflecting on its meaning once again to the bereaved families today."

Meanwhile, at the Police Day ceremony, two police officers were honored as this year’s police heroes. Spokesperson Kang said, "One is the late Senior Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu, who refused orders for violent suppression by the military dictatorship during the May 18 Democratic Uprising and protected the lives of citizens," and "the other police hero is the late Inspector Yoo Jae-guk, who died while searching for a person who jumped into the Han River. President Moon also offered deep condolences to Superintendent Lee’s daughter and Inspector Yoo’s wife."

President Moon said, "Truth and justice are never buried by time," commemorating Senior Superintendent Lee. Regarding Inspector Yoo, President Moon said, "We will never forget his noble sacrifice and dedication."

Spokesperson Kang added, "He also mentioned Sergeant Lee, who put public safety first at the moment of death. These individuals truly embody the ‘democracy-human rights-public safety police’ that President Moon emphasized in his speech," and said, "Sergeant Lee is currently undergoing the process for posthumous recognition. The Ministry of Personnel Management will soon review his case. If recognized as a posthumous death, the state will honor him as a national merit."

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