The news of that day has passed, but its meaning remains with us today. "Today's That Day" reads the present through the records of the past.
"When I went outside, children were crying, 'Our mom is dead.'"
On May 5, 2008, fire authorities officially tallied 36 victims—nine dead and 27 rescued—who had been swept away by swell waves the previous day at the Jukdo coast in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. The "killer wave" that struck without warning on a clear day instantly robbed day-trippers enjoying the Children's Day holiday of their ordinary lives.
◇ Midday on May 4, 2008… Disaster Strikes Coastal Day-Trippers = The accident occurred around 12:41 p.m. on May 4, 2008, at Gatbawi Rock near Jukdo Island in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. Located about 500 meters from the breakwater, the area was known for its usually calm waves. Adjacent to Daecheon Beach, the largest beach on the West Coast, it was a popular destination frequented by tourists.
With clear skies and no wind, anglers and tourists were spending relaxed time with their families along the shore. Then suddenly, the seawater receded all at once like a low tide, and a wave approximately 9 meters high struck the tourists in an instant.
A local resident identified as A, who witnessed the scene, said, "Waves suddenly rose from the calm sea and swallowed the anglers and tourists. The wave struck just once, and people were swept into the water amid utter chaos." He added, "After about 10 minutes, the waves returned to their usual calm state."
B, who operated a sashimi restaurant near the pier, also recounted, "Out of nowhere, there were sounds of thunder and lightning, followed by people's screams. When I went outside, children were crying, 'Our mom is dead.'" C, who was at the scene and was rescued, said, "There was no time to escape. When I came to my senses and opened my eyes, I was in the hospital."
The victims ranged from a 5-year-old child to people in their 60s. Family casualties mounted, including a 36-year-old father and his 4-year-old son who died together. Many families who had gone on seaside outings ahead of Children's Day and Parents' Day fell victim to the disaster. The following day, May 5, the Taean Coast Guard and Boryeong City mobilized 26 patrol boats and two naval vessels to continue search operations for missing persons within a 2-3 km radius of Jukdo.
◇ No Wind, Yet Why… The Attack of "Swell Waves" = Immediately after the accident, the Daejeon Regional Meteorological Administration analyzed that strong currents flowing along the coast at high tide struck the breakwater, generating the wave. The explanation was that waves gently approaching land collided with the breakwater and pier, combining with the waves behind them to momentarily transform into a powerful surge.
At the time of the accident, wave heights were 0.1 to 0.2 meters, and winds were calm at 0.5 to 4 meters per second. The maximum wave height reached only 5.75 meters, far below the tsunami advisory issuance threshold (seawater height of 8.44 meters). Since the wave struck without any special advisory, no one at the scene had time to take shelter.
The wave that struck the tourists was classified as a "swell wave." It is a form that surges suddenly upon reaching shallow coastal waters after gently rolling in from the open sea. Unlike regular waves generated by wind, swell waves travel very quickly and double in power by absorbing surrounding smaller waves as they approach the shore.
Eighteen years later, swell wave accidents continue unabated. As more people head to coastal areas ahead of the full-fledged beach season, experts point out the need to once again recognize the dangers of swell waves that strike without warning.
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