Yongjin Kim, Coast Guard Chief, Offers Resignation: "I Feel a Heavy Responsibility for Officer's Death in the Line of Duty"

Yongjin Kim, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, has offered his resignation in connection with the incident involving the late Officer Lee Jaeseok, who died in the line of duty while rescuing an elderly person stranded in a tidal flat.

In an official statement distributed to the media late in the afternoon on September 15, Commissioner Kim said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility in light of the President's remarks regarding the death of the Coast Guard officer in the line of duty," and added, "I am offering my resignation to help uncover the truth behind this incident and to contribute to building a new Korea Coast Guard."

Yongjin Kim, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard

It has been reported that Commissioner Kim decided to step down after President Jaemyung Lee instructed that the investigation into Officer Lee's death should be conducted by an independent external agency, rather than by the Coast Guard itself.

Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, stated during a briefing that "President Lee pointed out that testimonies from the late officer's colleagues indicated that 'higher-ups are covering up the truth,' and he gave these instructions to ensure that the bereaved family and colleagues would not suffer any injustice."

Spokesperson Kang further explained that President Lee, upon receiving reports that the late officer had conducted the rescue operation alone-despite the principle that search and rescue missions should be carried out in pairs-repeatedly checked whether there had been any shortcomings or delays in the initial response.

Officer Lee went missing at around 3:30 a.m. on September 11 while rescuing a Chinese national in his 70s, identified as Mr. B, who had become stranded by the incoming tide while gathering shellfish in the tidal flats of Yeongheungdo, Ongjin County, Incheon. It was determined that Officer Lee had given his own life jacket to Mr. B, who had injured his foot, and helped him put on patrol gloves before attempting to swim out together, at which point Officer Lee went missing.

Officer Lee was found in cardiac arrest at around 9:41 a.m. that day, 1.4 kilometers off the coast of Kkotseom, Yeongheung-myeon. He was transported to the hospital by emergency responders but was pronounced dead.