Three people died from drowning at non-designated beaches in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, on June 26 [2, 3].
These deaths highlight the risks associated with swimming in areas that lack official safety designations and professional lifeguards to monitor water-entry zones [4].
One incident involved five people who fell into the sea [1]. Two of those individuals were soldiers who were rescued from the water but later died [1]. In a separate incident on the same day, a 20-year-old snorkeler also died [1].
The fatalities occurred at shorelines near the official Hwa-jin-po beach [2]. These specific areas were not designated for swimming and therefore did not have on-site safety personnel to control the water-entry zones [4].
Emergency responders attempted to coordinate a rapid response once the danger was identified. A Goseong County official said they contacted a team leader at the nearby Hwa-jin-po Geojin beach to deploy a jet ski immediately [2].
Coast Guard rescue divers were also deployed from helicopters to reach the swimmers in the water [3]. Despite these efforts, the distance to the nearest official beach with safety personnel was approximately 500 meters [4].
Local authorities are reviewing the incidents to determine how to better manage non-designated areas where visitors often swim despite the absence of lifeguards.
“Three people died after drowning at non-designated beaches lacking safety personnel.”
The tragedy underscores a critical gap in public safety infrastructure where 'non-designated' status removes the legal requirement for lifeguards, yet does not deter tourists from entering the water. The death of rescue-recovered soldiers and a young snorkeler suggests that even those with physical capability or equipment are vulnerable to unpredictable currents in unmonitored zones.
