The family of Lee Jae-seok, a marine police officer who died while attempting to rescue an older individual trapped in mudflats, has formally accused former Coast Guard Chief Kim Yong-jin of violating the Serious Accident Punishment Act. This suit, lodged at the Central Regional Ministry of Employment and Labor, also targets three other officials for safety violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Lee's mother expressed her desire for justice, emphasizing the need to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

During a press conference prior to submitting the lawsuit, Lee's mother articulated the family's hope that her son's death would not be in vain and called for accountability among the officials involved in the incident. Lee's family argues that the Coast Guard failed to establish proper safety protocols for dangerous rescue operations, particularly during times of significant tidal changes, which they believe contributed to his untimely death. The family's lawyer has asserted that the former Coast Guard Chief should be held accountable as the person in charge.

Lee Jae-seok went missing on September 11 last year while responding to a report regarding an individual sitting in a mudflat, eventually being found deceased hours later. The emergency response was criticized for its lack of coordination, as it took over an hour to report him missing after he first went unresponsive. This incident has brought to light serious shortcomings in the operational procedures of the Coast Guard, leading to ongoing legal proceedings for those involved in the case, including the former chief and his subordinates.