GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Despite an intensive sea and air search which began on the afternoon of Sunday April 1, the body of South Korean missionary student from Worcester, has not yet been found.
Dae Jun You (23) went missing in the surf when he and another South Korean friend went swimming at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and found themselves pulled in by a strong rip current. The 30-year-old friend, Kwon Hee Lee, was pulled from the water by Sedgefield local, Michael Watson, but when he turned around to help You, the student had disappeared beneath the surface, never to be seen again.
You's parents and pastor from his church in South Korea travelled to South Africa after the tragedy, waiting on the beach at Sedgefield in the days after his disappearance, until it became clear that the body was not to be found.
"It was just the saddest thing seeing those parents stand there - waiting against all hope for any signs of their son's body. Out of respect, we didn't want to invade their privacy, but Sedgefield's heart went out to them," says one of the men who took part in the search effort.
Bruno Guntelach, Youth With A Mission (YWAM) director at Worcester, where You and the rest of the South Korean group were all attending a three month English course, says that they have lost 'a dear friend and student,' but that in the aftermath of the accident they experienced an amazing amount of support, help and love. Says Guntelach: "Dae Jun was a special young man.
He was someone whose presence positively influenced those around him and his life was a real testimony of God's unconditional love. There's nothing that can prepare you for a tragedy like the loss of Dae Jun. However, in the days following the Sunday, as we tried to support friends, family and the community in coming to terms with what happened, we had some very special experiences."
Guntelach also mentions how moved and impressed they were with the 'amazing strength' of the Korean community.
"They came from as far as Port Elizabeth and Lesotho to be with us and the family, in this time of deep distress. Also, the Korean elders from our organisation gave us valuable advice on how to respect the Korean culture in facilitating and helping in this very difficult situation. We were also very impressed and touched by the amount and professionalism of the help and care that we received from the different help and rescue agencies, the police and the people of Sedgefield. This exceptional South African care in combination with the motherly reaching out of the South Korean community, made the tragedy bearable."
YWAM Worcester, on behalf of Mr and Mrs You, the parents of Dae Jun, and the Korean community wishes to express their deepest gratitude to:
- Michael Watson, for rescuing Mr Kwon Hee Lee from the sea and consequently saving his life;
- Lyell and Leigh Katzon from Afrovibe Adventure Lodge and Backpackers, for your great hospitality, your professional handling of the situation and for saving Mr Kwon Hee Lee's life by applying the correct first aid intervention;
- All the people of Sedgefield, for your amazing care and for all the different ways in which you offered support;
- Mr Harry Levendal, the deputy mayor of Mossel Bay, for his expressed interest, support and assistance with the air searches.
- Captain Abrie Visagie, for your great professional support, your natural care, and for taking us on the evening walks along the beach;
- All the volunteers of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Knysna Pathology Services, the Emergency Medical Services, all the police rescue units, such as the Police Diving Unit, Sea Border Unit, K9-Unit in Knysna, the Search and Rescue Dog Unit from George, thank you for your extraordinary services. You all have been going the extra mile!
- The Western Cape Emergency Medical Service and Simola Golf Club, for sending your pilot, Ralph Rudansky, with a helicopter to assist in the search;
- The Sedgefield and Oudtshoorn Tourist Office, for your generosity and your exceptional support on all levels;
- Mr Wong from the South Korean Embassy, for your great support in the situation and for sending one of your delegates to assist the parents;
- The pilot of the private plane from Plettenberg Bay who assisted in the search on Wednesday after the tragedy happened;
"And all those who are not mentioned here but you know who you are - thank you! All of you together have turned this tragedy into an experience and true example of cross-cultural care," said Guntelach.
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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