Asia-Pacific

S Korean helicopter crashes; 1 dead, 4 missing

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-02-24 11:27

SEOUL, South Korea - A South Korean coast guard helicopter has crashed off the southern coast, leaving one dead and four officers missing.

Coast guard officer Bu Ji-hwan said Thursday the helicopter crashed west of the resort island of Jeju late Wednesday.

The coast guard and navy ships are searching for the four officers still missing.

The body of Lee Yu-kyung was recovered from the ocean.

Yonhap news agency reported that the helicopter had picked up Lee from a coast guard ship and was taking him to Jeju Island for medical care before it crashed.

It's not immediately known what caused the crash.