Korean Coast Guard Dies After Giving Life Jacket to Chinese Elderly Man... Chinese Netizens Mourn "Hero Beyond Borders"

Sergeant Lee Jaeseok Dies While Rescuing Chinese Man in His 70s
Ranks Fifth in Real-Time Searches on Major Chinese Portal
Netizens Mourn: "We Will Never Forget Him"

After news spread in China about the tragic sacrifice of a thirty-something Korean Coast Guard officer who died after giving his life jacket to save an elderly man stranded in a tidal flat in Incheon, local internet users expressed their condolences, calling him a "hero beyond borders."

Chinese media Haike News and others reported on the news of Police Sergeant Lee Jaeseok (right), who died after having his life jacket removed. Photo by Haike News, Yonhap News Agency

According to the Coast Guard on September 11, at around 9:41 a.m., Police Sergeant Lee Jaeseok, aged 34, from the Yeongheung Police Substation, who had gone missing near Yeongheungdo, Ongjin County, Incheon, was found in cardiac arrest 1.4 kilometers from Kkotseom, Yeongheung-myeon. He was transported to the hospital by the 119 emergency rescue team but was pronounced dead.

At around 3:30 a.m. that day, Sergeant Lee was dispatched to the rescue site after receiving a report that a Chinese national in his 70s, referred to as Mr. A, was stranded in the tidal flat on Yeongheungdo. At the time, Mr. A had become trapped by the rising tide while collecting shellfish and was reportedly having difficulty moving due to injuries to his feet.

The Coast Guard believes that Sergeant Lee removed his own buoyancy vest to ensure Mr. A's safety and attempted to swim out together, during which he went missing.

Mr. A was rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter at around 4:20 a.m. that day. He suffered multiple lacerations to his feet and showed symptoms of hypothermia, but his life was not in danger.

This incident has also drawn significant attention in China. As of 8:30 a.m. on September 12, the search term "Korean Coast Guard dies while rescuing Chinese elderly" ranked fifth on the real-time search list of China's largest portal site, and hundreds of comments were posted on related articles.

Chinese internet users expressed their condolences, saying, "Hero, may you rest in peace," "Though our borders are different, he is a true hero," and "Chinese people remember acts of kindness. We will never forget him." Some also commented, "My impression of Koreans has changed. I now know there are true heroes."

One user wrote, "It is heartbreaking that such a young man lost his life. The hero's family must be compensated," while another stated, "I express my deepest respect to the Korea Coast Guard."