Donghae, South Korea – The Donghae Regional Coast Guard received a letter of appreciation from the Russian Far East Korean Association on March 10th, after successfully rescuing a critically ill passenger from an international ferry in the high seas during the Lunar New Year holiday.

On January 30th, Lim Seong-ho (60), a missionary working in the Russian Far East, suffered an acute myocardial infarction while aboard an international ferry en route to South Korea for medical treatment. The incident occurred 102km northeast of Sokcho, placing his life in grave danger.

The Donghae Coast Guard, recognizing the severity of the situation, immediately dispatched a helicopter from the Yangyang Air Unit. Despite challenging weather conditions, the helicopter crew successfully rescued the patient and his guardian.

During the 30-minute flight to land, Coast Guard paramedics provided emergency care to the patient. Upon arrival, he was swiftly transported to a major hospital for urgent surgery.

Mr. Lim, who had a previous surgery for the same condition in 2014, has since recovered and is now in stable condition, resuming his normal life.

"I had been experiencing periodic symptoms on the ferry, relying on emergency medication, but the medication stopped working, and I thought I was going to die," Mr. Lim recounted. "Just as we entered the Korean East Sea, the Coast Guard appeared like a dream and sent a helicopter, giving me a second chance at life."

He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Donghae Coast Guard, stating, "I am truly grateful to the Donghae Coast Guard for saving my life, and I will dedicate my second life to missionary work and serving society."

Lee Dong-myung, president of the Russian Far East Korean Association, sent a letter of appreciation, saying, "Thanks to the swift and calm rescue by the Coast Guard in rough seas, a precious life was saved. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the Donghae Coast Guard to ensuring the safety of the people."

Kim Seong-jong, head of the Donghae Regional Coast Guard, stated, "The Coast Guard will continue to strive for the safety of the people."

The Donghae Coast Guard Air Unit has demonstrated its commitment to saving lives, having successfully airlifted 10 ship emergency patients over the past two years, including 4 in 2024 and 6 in 2023, regardless of their nationality.