Korea Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Yong-jin submitted his resignation following the death of assistant inspector Lee Jae-suk during a rescue mission. The 34-year-old officer perished while saving an elderly man trapped on a western coastal mudflat. Lee gave his life jacket to the stranded victim before strong currents carried him away. President Lee Jae Myung demanded an independent investigation after allegations emerged about officials concealing details of the incident. Kim stated he accepted responsibility for the tragedy and wanted to help reveal the truth about what happened during the operation.
Fellow officers revealed that safety protocols require rescue patrols to operate in teams of two. They argued the fatal accident might have been avoided if proper procedures had been followed. The officers also accused their supervisors of ordering silence about specific aspects of the rescue mission. Kim expressed his commitment to building better practices within the Coast Guard organization. His resignation aims to support efforts to uncover facts surrounding the officer's death.
Fellow officers revealed that safety protocols require rescue patrols to operate in teams of two. They argued the fatal accident might have been avoided if proper procedures had been followed. The officers also accused their supervisors of ordering silence about specific aspects of the rescue mission. Kim expressed his commitment to building better practices within the Coast Guard organization. His resignation aims to support efforts to uncover facts surrounding the officer's death.
