Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

Responding to media inquiries about South Korean Coast Guard officer Lee Jae-seok, who lost his life to rescue a Chinese man, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday "we wish to extend our deepest condolences over his passing and heartfelt sympathies to his family. We would like to pay high tribute to Mr. Lee Jae-seok for his heroic selfless act. Representative of the Chinese embassy in the South Korea attended the farewell ceremony for Mr. Lee."

On September 11, a Chinese national in South Korea was stranded along the coast of Incheon. The Incheon Coast Guard promptly dispatched officers to carry out the rescue. In the end, the Chinese national was successfully saved, but officer Lee Jae-seok of the Incheon Coast Guard tragically lost his life during the operation, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in South Korea on Friday.  

The Chinese Embassy expressed condolences over Lee Jae-seok's death and extended sincere sympathy to his family, according to the embassy statement. 

South Korea's central regional Coast Guard Headquarters held a farewell ceremony on Monday for Lee Jae-seok. Zhong Hongnuo, Minister-Counselor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, attended the ceremony and laid flowers to pay tribute to him during the farewell ceremony, China Central Television reported on Monday.

Zhong said that Lee Jae-seok exemplified boundless love and a noble humanitarian spirit with his young life. His heroic deeds of risking his life to save others will be remembered by the millions of Chinese living in Korea, and the Chinese people will not forget this precious friendship.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday mourned the death of Lee Jae-seok and sent his chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik to deliver a condolence message to the funeral home, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

In June this year, a driver named Xiao Bo in China's Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province gave his life after guarding the safety of more than 10 South Korean passengers, which drew appreciation and remembrance from both Chinese and South Korean media as well, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin said.

Between China and the South Korea, there are many touching stories like those. They bear witness and add to the warm and friendly sentiments between the two peoples, Lin added.

South Korean Consulate General in Wuhan sent a letter to Zhangjiajie, expressing its highest respect for Xiao who demonstrated exceptional professionalism by executing emergency measures to protect South Korean tourists in the coach by coming to a safe stop at a critical moment before he lost consciousness due to a stroke. He later died in hospital. The letter extended deep condolences to the driver's bereaved family, reported the Zhangjiajie Daily in July.

The government of South Korea's Jeju Special Self-Governing Province also said on Tuesday that they will confer the title of "honorary citizen" to four members of the China Coast Guard (CCG) who rescued Jeju fishermen in distress on May 13 this year, Yonhap reported.

The CCG vessel rescued all eight people on board, including the South Korean captain and seven Indonesian crew members, with no casualties reported, Yonhap said.

Global Times