Paddleboarding Turns Fatal for Korean Exec in Ho Chi Minh

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A South Korean businessman, Kim Heon Su, was found dead on May 2, following his disappearance during a paddleboarding trip in Ho Chi Minh City. An extensive overnight search by more than 100 rescue workers led to the discovery of his body approximately 500 meters from the Da Den Lake shore. The body has been handed over to authorities for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

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Kim, a 65-year-old executive managing a steel and scaffolding factory, embarked on the paddleboarding outing on May 1. Accompanied by a Vietnamese friend from Hanoi, they drove about 3 kilometers to Da Den Lake. After resting and taking photos across the lake, Kim trailed behind on the return, disappearing from view, which prompted a search alert.

Rescue operations involved police, local militia, and rescue teams, equipped with motorboats, diving gear, and nets, tirelessly combing the lake until midday on May 2. The teams eventually located Kim’s body submerged near where he was last seen. His company operates within Chau Duc Industrial Park, situated about 80 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City's center.

Da Den Lake, spanning roughly 250 hectares with a capacity of over 33 million cubic meters, serves as a vital resource, providing drinking water and irrigation. Its natural beauty and undeveloped surroundings make it a favored location for recreational activities like camping and paddleboarding.

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