▲ Gangneung Coast Guard rescues two drowning people at Yeongjin Beach on June 6
"Even if the sea looks calm, you must not let your guard down."
On June 17, high waves suddenly rushed onto Hajodae Beach in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province.
A Coast Guard rescue worker standing on the shore instantly lost his balance and was swept toward the sea.
A moment later, another rescuer on a motorized rescue board cut through the rough waters to approach and rescue the drowning person.
Although it was a reenactment rather than an actual accident, the atmosphere on site was tense.
The Donghae Regional Coast Guard organized the event on this day to raise awareness of the dangers of coastal accidents ahead of the peak summer season.
Accordingly, they reenacted common accident scenarios on the East Coast, such as swell waves, steeply sloping seabed terrain, and snorkeling accidents, as if they were real situations.
In particular, the swell wave demonstration showed the dangers of the sea in the most intuitive way.
Although the sea appeared calm on the surface, a large wave struck at an unexpected moment, instantly dragging the rescuer into the water.
Swell waves are a phenomenon where waves generated by strong winds in the open sea travel all the way to the coast.
Even when the weather is clear and the wind is weak, sudden high waves can strike and drag people into the sea, making it difficult for vacationers to perceive the danger.
In particular, even skilled swimmers find it difficult to escape if they are swept away by strong rip currents and waves.
In fact, on June 6, a tourist taking photos at Yeongjin Beach in Gangneung died after being swept away by a swell wave.
The demonstration of the steeply sloping seabed terrain revealed the geographical dangers unique to the East Coast.
A situation was depicted where the water suddenly became deep just a few steps away from the beach, leaving one unable to touch the bottom.
Losing balance in the waves can instantly sweep someone into deep water, which can be fatal for children or vacationers who are poor swimmers.
In the snorkeling accident reenactment, various risk factors such as cardiac arrest, hypothermia, rip currents, and equipment malfunction were introduced.
The Coast Guard repeatedly emphasized the rules of wearing life jackets and never swimming alone.
An improved rescue suit designed to secure the golden hour for rescue was also unveiled at the scene.
The rescue suit, which is easier to wear and offers better mobility than existing equipment, is currently being piloted at five stations under the Donghae Regional Coast Guard.
Rescue workers wearing the improved rescue suits demonstrated lifesaving techniques using motorized rescue boards.
Attendees watched intently as they quickly approached and rescued the drowning person even amidst the swell waves.
At the end of the event, reporters entered the water themselves to experience the dangers of coastal accidents.
They agreed that it was not even easy to maintain balance due to the stronger-than-expected currents, and that they felt a momentary sense of terror even in water that was only waist-deep.
According to the Donghae Regional Coast Guard, 330 coastal accidents occurred within its jurisdiction over the past three years (2023–2025), resulting in 82 deaths.
The Donghae Regional Coast Guard is responsible for the waters stretching from Goseong County in Gangwon Province to parts of Gyeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province.
Of these, 64.5% or 213 cases (resulting in 56 deaths) were concentrated during the peak summer season between June and September.
In particular, regarding fatal accidents, deaths that occurred during water recreation were the most common, accounting for 37 deaths (66%).
By location, shores accounted for 35 deaths (63%).
By time of day, 77% (43 people) of all fatalities occurred between 12:00 and 18:00, when vacationers are most concentrated.
Kim In-chang, Commissioner of the Donghae Regional Coast Guard, urged, "The East Coast in summer harbors unseen dangers such as swell waves and steeply sloping terrain, where a single moment of carelessness can lead to an irreversible accident. When visiting the sea, please be sure to wear a life jacket and strictly observe basic safety rules."
He added, "The Coast Guard will actively support the training of safety personnel before and after the opening of beaches. We will create a safe East Sea that the public can visit with peace of mind by significantly strengthening patrols during high-risk hours."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.