A 34-year-old South Korean coast guard officer died on September 11 after rescuing an elderly Chinese national caught in high tide off the coast of Incheon.

The Incheon Coast Guard dispatched officers to the scene after receiving reports of the Chinese national stranded along the shore. The individual was successfully rescued, but officer Lee Jae-suk lost his life during the operation.

The officer was found to have taken off his life vest and put it on the Chinese man before getting lost while swimming to shore together, Yonhap News Agency reported.

On September 12, the Chinese Embassy expressed condolences over Lee's death in the line of duty and extended sincere sympathy to his family. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also offered his condolences.