[MZ Police Officer] "For Precious Lives"... The Struggles of the Hangang Police Unit

Jin Hyunho, Sergeant of the Hangang Police Unit
On the Front Lines of Rescuing Suicide Attempt Victims

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is coming. We are in an era where new recruits in their 20s and 30s are shaping the future of organizational culture. The police force is no exception. Within the police, there are a variety of departments such as criminal investigation, intelligence, security, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, women and youth, among others. The work environment differs depending on whether you are at the provincial headquarters, a police station, a mobile unit, or a local precinct, and the roles vary greatly by region. Through the eyes of junior police officers, we introduce their departments and hear vivid stories about their work and lives as they see them.

"There is a person on Mapo Bridge!"

Sergeant Jin Hyunho of the Hangang Police Unit is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Hangang Mangwon Center. Photo by Jo Yongjun

At around 1:50 p.m. on May 22, an urgent radio message from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's 112 Situation Room was heard at the Mangwon Hangang Security Center of the Hangang Police Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The report was that someone had left a suicide note and was heading to Mapo Bridge. Sergeant Jin Hyunho (30) immediately used the location tracking system to check the mobile phone signal of the suicide attempt victim. The coordinates pointed precisely to the middle of Mapo Bridge.

Without a moment's hesitation, Sergeant Jin boarded a high-speed patrol boat and sped across the river. He positioned himself under the bridge to prepare for any emergency and was able to safely protect the suicide attempt victim. Sergeant Jin said, "A suicide attempt victim is also someone's beloved family member or friend," adding, "With the mindset that I must protect precious lives, I never hesitate for even a second when responding to a rescue."

Police Officer Jin Hyunho (right) of the Hangang Police Unit is talking with Team Leader Park Cheolwan before heading out. Photo by Jo Yongjun

The Hangang Police Unit, under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is a waterborne security department consisting of four centers. It is responsible for water safety management, lifesaving, and crime prevention, primarily in the Hangang River area. The Hangang Police Unit, where Sergeant Jin serves, has jurisdiction over a 41.5-kilometer stretch of the river, including 28 bridges. In particular, the Hangang Police Unit plays a crucial role in rescuing suicide attempt victims and searching for missing persons.

Having certifications such as lifesaving, scuba diving, or a boat operator's license is advantageous when applying to the Hangang Police Unit. Even after becoming an officer, high-intensity training based on real-life scenarios?such as night swimming, underwater rescue, and operating rescue boats?is conducted regularly. Teamwork is also essential to save a single life. Sergeant Jin said, "The most rewarding moment is when, through teamwork, we are able to save a precious life," adding, "At that moment, I truly feel that we move as one."

Sergeant Jin Hyunho of the Hangang Police Unit is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Hangang Mangwon Center. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Recently, the number of suicide attempt reports has reached up to 20 cases per day. Sergeant Jin said, "Perhaps due to the economic downturn, I feel that suicide attempts are increasing compared to previous years," and added, "When I see people who have come all the way to the Hangang River because they couldn't hold on any longer, I feel a heavy heart and a desperate sense that we must rescue them as quickly as possible."

Sergeant Jin said he will never forget his first rescue. Last winter, there was a citizen who left a suicide note and then became unreachable. The location data pointed to somewhere near Banpo Bridge. While searching upstream and around the bridge, an unusual bridge structure caught his eye. Approaching closer, Sergeant Jin found a suicide attempt victim crouched and soaked. In the minus 10-degree weather, even a few minutes' delay could have resulted in death from hypothermia. He said, "It was the moment I realized that every second counts between life and death after a dispatch," adding, "Since then, I have resolved never to hesitate and to always be the first to rush to the scene, no matter the situation."

Recovering the bodies of the deceased can sometimes cause trauma. Sergeant Jin said, "When someone my age died, it hurt me deeply," and added, "Sometimes, for a week, the image would vividly come to mind before I fell asleep, and it was difficult." Still, he tries not to avoid it and instead to overcome it. Sergeant Jin said, "Even if I'm physically tired, exercising helps me fall asleep right away at night."

Sergeant Jin has encountered countless suicide attempt victims on the Hangang River. Most of them, paradoxically, say "I wanted to live" immediately after being rescued. Every time, he thinks, "If only someone had been there for them," or "If only the world had been a little warmer." Sergeant Jin said, "The police play a role in holding onto lives, but what I truly hope for is a society where such incidents don't happen," adding, "I hope we can build a society where someone reaches out before a person gives up on life."

Sergeant Jin Hyunho of the Hangang Police Unit patrolling along the Hangang River. Photo by Jin Hyunho

Sergeant Jin joined the police in 2021 and worked at Jeonnong 2 Police Box of Dongdaemun Police Station and in the Police Mobile Unit before being assigned to the Hangang Police Unit in July last year. Sergeant Jin said, "While serving my mandatory military service as a conscripted police officer, I saw police officers serving the public, which inspired me," adding, "I thought my active personality would be a good fit, so I dreamed of becoming a police officer." When asked about future departmental preferences, he said, "Right now, I want to further develop my expertise in waterborne operations, but if the opportunity arises, I'd like to use my traffic accident appraiser certification to gain experience in traffic investigation as well."

If you are struggling with depression or other difficult issues, or if you have a family member or acquaintance in need, you can receive 24-hour counseling from a specialist by calling the suicide prevention hotline at 109 or through the suicide prevention SNS counseling service 'Madeleine.'