[MZ Police Officer] "Both Citizens and Police Are Someone's Family"... The Youngest Member of the 81st Riot Police Unit Protecting Peace at Rallies

"Citizens are someone's father, mother, or sibling."
Frequent physical and mental injuries... protest noise like auditory hallucinations
"Stay calm and see the bigger picture" ? unwavering composure

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is coming. It is an era where newcomers in their 20s and 30s decide the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. The police have various departments such as criminal investigation, investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women & youth. The working environments differ across metropolitan police agencies, police stations, riot police units, and local police substations, and the tasks vary greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and hear vivid stories about their thoughts on work and life.

On the afternoon of the 5th at 2 PM, in front of the main gate of the National Assembly, with a wind chill of minus 18.7 degrees Celsius, Police Sergeant Kim Minju (31) of the 81st Riot Police Unit, 8th Riot Police Division, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was guarding the National Assembly in the biting cold. She started her duty wearing layers under a fluorescent jumper and a neck warmer pulled up to her nose. Despite the grueling 12-hour shifts of the riot police, she never lost her smile.

The riot police are deployed at protest sites where clashes with citizens can easily occur. Sergeant Kim always reminds herself that everyone is ‘someone’s family’ in those moments. She said, “Lately, at conservative rallies, I often receive verbal abuse from elderly participants. I approach them gently, saying, ‘Mother, Father, why are you like this?’ to calm them down. Surprisingly, they cooperate well,” adding, “I am my mother’s daughter, and I think you are also someone’s father or mother. Because we are all someone’s family, I always try to serve with a family-like heart.”

Corporal Kim Minju of the 81st Mobile Unit is wearing cold-weather gear on the 5th in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to stand duty. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

“Citizens are someone’s father, mother, or sibling.”

The main duty locations of the 81st Riot Police Unit include the Gwanghwamun area, Yeouido National Assembly, and the Yongsan Presidential Office. Sergeant Kim is responsible for evidence collection at protest sites. She captures vivid footage of illegal acts or situations that threaten safety for investigative purposes. Often, the police’s evidence-gathering cameras become targets at protests. Sergeant Kim lamented, “I am in charge of the evidence-gathering camera in my team, and protest participants sometimes try to pull the camera away or damage it.”

Generally, people think the police block protests, but that is not the case. Sergeant Kim emphasized, “The police’s role is not to suppress protests or restrict freedom. It is always about maintaining order for safety and coexistence,” adding, “I hope the peaceful protest culture that citizens have worked hard to build continues.”

The moments of confrontation with citizens are the hardest, but sometimes their small support and comfort become the driving force of life. Sergeant Kim recalled, “During the Gyeongbokgung graffiti incident, I was guarding a wall alone at dawn to prevent copycat crimes. Even though I wore cold-weather gear, it was really cold,” she said. “A citizen, seeing me shivering, bought me a hot pack and warm coffee from a convenience store and handed them to me, saying, ‘Thank you for your hard work.’ Moments like these make me feel rewarded as a police officer.”

Corporal Kim Minju of the 81st Mobile Unit is resting inside a bus waiting in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 5th, while checking her duty equipment. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Frequent physical and mental injuries... protest noise like auditory hallucinations

The riot police are deployed closest to protest sites. They sometimes stand on the road for participants’ safety, facing dangerous moments. Sergeant Kim said, “The seemingly strong order maintenance line sometimes stretches like taffy,” adding, “When protest participants get agitated, the police can be pushed back and hit by vehicles. A colleague was actually hit by a bus.”

When protests escalate, the police also feel fear. Sergeant Kim mentioned a recent protest near the Presidential Office, saying, “Near Samgakji Station, we tried to stop an illegal road occupation, and our unit was surrounded like a sandwich,” she said. “Being pushed from all sides, the shield I was holding pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.” She added, “We carry capsaisin spray and batons but rarely use them, mostly blocking with our bare bodies. It’s very hard to endure when a colleague gets injured in violent protest situations.”

Sometimes, the noise from protests lingers in their ears even after work. Sergeant Kim said, “When I get home after duty, I hear abusive noises like auditory hallucinations,” adding, “My colleagues also experience trauma from personal insults and emotional labor.” Her stress relief method is making miniatures. She smiled, saying, “When my ears hurt and I’m exhausted from protest noise, I quietly make miniatures at home.”

Corporal Kim Minju of the 81st Mobile Unit poses before an interview inside a bus waiting in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 5th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

“Stay calm and see the bigger picture” ? unwavering composure

The guidance of good seniors has been a great support in her riot police life. Sergeant Kim said, “When I was a rookie, I ran around with passion, but a senior told me not to run,” adding, “If the police act hastily, citizens get anxious without knowing why, so I always remember my senior’s advice to stay calm and see the bigger picture. At protests, I always maintain a calm attitude to calm down the participants.”

The phrase “Stay safe today” is like a talisman that Sergeant Kim keeps. It was something she heard from a senior while working at the Hwayang Police Substation of Gwangjin Police Station in Seoul. She said, “I think it’s a great blessing to spend a day safely in a dangerous place,” concluding, “I hope all police officers in the field have a safe day today as well.”