Lieutenant Kwon Jaejun of the Maritime Special Rescue Unit Donates Entire Prize from Essay Contest

Volunteering and Good Deeds for 28 Years: Practicing Love for Neighbors
"I Will Strive to Be a Maritime Police Officer Who Serves and Dedicates Himself to the People"

Lieutenant Kwon Jaejun (45), a member of the Special Rescue Team at the West Sea Maritime Special Rescue Unit of the Central Maritime Special Rescue Division (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do), was awarded the Encouragement Prize at the "Thank You, Please Help Us Maritime Police" essay contest hosted by the Korea Coast Guard. He donated the entire prize money to a welfare foundation, spreading warmth and sharing within the local community.

The "Thank You, Please Help Us Maritime Police" essay contest was organized by the Korea Coast Guard in November last year to communicate and build empathy with the public regarding the duties and roles of the maritime police, who are responsible for the safety of the sea. The contest invited submissions based on the experiences (episodes) or thoughts (wishes) of maritime police officers or citizens. The final winners were selected on the 3rd after evaluation by internal and external judges and a public review process.

Kwon Jaejun, Police Lieutenant, awarded the Encouragement Prize in the Coast Guard Essay Contest Photo by Seohae Regional Coast Guard Headquarters

Lieutenant Kwon, who received the Encouragement Prize in the maritime police officer category, submitted an essay titled "Unforgettable Memories of That Day" based on his experiences rescuing citizens as a maritime police rescue team member. He donated the entire prize money (500,000 KRW) in the form of support goods to the Gongsaeng Welfare Foundation, a social welfare corporation, to help children living in difficult circumstances.

Lieutenant Kwon, who joined the Korea Coast Guard as a police officer in 2010, has served for 15 years at the forefront of maritime accidents, including on patrol vessels, special forces, and rescue teams. He has continued his good deeds by donating blood certificates, providing regular support, and volunteering for children with leukemia and underprivileged children.

In particular, over the past 28 years, he has donated more than 400 blood certificates for children with leukemia and has been serving as a "Leukemia Association Ambassador" since 2021, actively promoting blood donation. In addition to blood donation, he has registered to donate all his organs and body for patients in need of transplants and for medical research, including hematopoietic stem cell donation, organ donation, tissue donation, and body donation, to prepare for any unforeseen accidents during rescue operations.

He has also provided regular support for children with pediatric cancer and leukemia for 18 years. In 2021, he donated the entire prize money (20 million KRW) from the "LG Humanitarian Award" to cover the medical expenses of leukemia patients and children of fellow employees. In 2022, after winning the Bronze Prize at the National Safety Invention Challenge, he collected the prize money and donations to contribute 5 million KRW to the families of fallen maritime police officers, continuing his acts of kindness.

Lieutenant Kwon said, "I am honored to be able to help someone, even in a small way, by winning the 'Thank You, Please Help Us Maritime Police' essay contest. As a maritime police rescue team member, I will continue to work hard to save precious lives, think of neighbors in need, and strive to be a maritime police officer who serves and dedicates himself to the people."