25.09.15.Today News : Funeral for Fallen Coast Guard Officer Lee Jae-seok: Family and Colleagues Demand Truth Amid Cover-Up Allegations

Funeral for Fallen Coast Guard Officer Lee Jae-seok: Family and Colleagues Demand Truth Amid Cover-Up Allegations

📍Sergeant Lee, who died while rescuing a stranded man, honored with posthumous promotion and national medal; accusations of internal silence orders spark investigation

The funeral for Sergeant Lee Jae-seok (34), who lost his life while saving a 70-year-old Chinese man trapped in rising tides, was held on Sept. 15 at the Incheon Coast Guard headquarters. The solemn ceremony drew more than 1,000 mourners, with Lee’s family and colleagues demanding a full investigation into the circumstances of his death and denouncing alleged attempts by superiors to suppress details. Authorities have formed an external fact-finding team to uncover the truth.

The funeral service for Police Officer Lee Jae-seok, who died while rescuing Chinese nationals, was solemnly held at the Incheon Coast Guard Station.

---

■ Tears and Mourning at the Funeral
The ceremony hall at the Incheon Coast Guard building was filled with grief as over 1,000 people, including family members, colleagues, and officials, gathered to bid farewell to Sergeant Lee. His mother sobbed, “This is so unfair—please reveal the truth.” In his eulogy, fellow officer Kim Dae-yoon recalled, “They call you a hero, but I can only imagine your lonely struggle in the dark sea.”

■ How the Tragedy Happened — A Selfless Sacrifice
The accident occurred around 2:16 a.m. on Sept. 11, near Ggotseom in Ongjin County. Lee attempted to rescue a 70-year-old man stranded in the mudflats. He gave his own life jacket to the victim to ensure his survival. Moments later, Lee was swept away by the strong tide. He was later found in cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

■ National Honors and Burial
In recognition of his sacrifice, Lee was posthumously promoted one rank and awarded the Order of Service Merit. He will be laid to rest at the Seoul National Cemetery. The Coast Guard and government pledged to honor his memory and service.

■ Investigation Promised — External Experts Involved
Central Coast Guard Commissioner Oh Sang-kwon announced that the investigation would focus on why the two-person deployment rule was not followed, why contact with Lee was lost without an immediate response, and whether equipment and safety protocols were sufficient. A six-member external panel has been formed to review documents and conduct field inspections, with an initial report expected by Sept. 26.

Allegations of a Cover-Up by Colleagues and Family
Despite official assurances, allegations of internal suppression surfaced. Several of Lee’s colleagues claimed that their superiors, including the Ongjin station chief and Incheon Coast Guard commander, told them to remain silent and “portray Lee as a hero” rather than disclose facts. Family members echoed these accusations, insisting that pressure was applied to hide the truth from them.

■ Coast Guard Denies Cover-Up Allegations
The Coast Guard responded by stating that all available materials—including CCTV footage, radio transcripts, and drone videos—had already been handed over to the family. The commanders accused of issuing silence orders denied the allegations, calling them baseless. However, the specific testimonies by multiple officers have fueled suspicions and public concern.

■ Outlook — Potential Consequences for the Coast Guard
Lee’s family plans to hold a press conference demanding accountability. If the investigation confirms negligence or deliberate suppression, disciplinary action against senior officials and organizational reforms within the Coast Guard are expected. The incident has already sparked national debate about safety protocols, transparency, and the culture of silence in emergency services.

One-line summary : The funeral for Sergeant Lee Jae-seok, who died during a mudflat rescue, was held in Incheon as his family and colleagues demanded answers amid cover-up allegations, prompting the Coast Guard to launch an external investigation.