[MZ Police Officer] "From National Boxing Team to Guardian of the People"... The Strong Resolve of the Youngest Officer

Song Hwapyeong, a Former National Boxer,
Now Protects Incheon Ganghwa as a Rookie Detective

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is arriving. It is an era in which new employees in their 20s and 30s shape the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. Within the police, there are a wide variety of departments, including criminal investigation, investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth. The work environment varies across provincial headquarters, police stations, riot squads, and local police precincts and substations, and the duties differ greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and listen to their vivid stories about work and life as they see it.

A towering figure at 2 meters tall and weighing 130 kg, a former national boxing team member.

This is the story of Police Officer Song Hwapyeong (32), who works on the criminal investigation team at Incheon Ganghwa Police Station. He competed in both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In July last year, Officer Song joined the police force through a special recruitment for martial arts athletes, and he was the only successful candidate among 12 male applicants. He also graduated as the top trainee among 2,191 graduates of the 314th class of the Central Police Academy. During his athletic career, Officer Song swept major domestic competitions such as the 49th Presidential National City and Province Boxing Tournament, the 30th Korean Boxing Association President’s Cup National Boxing Tournament, and the National Boxing Championships, earning a reputation as the strongest contender in Korea’s heaviest weight class for boxing.

Police Officer Song Hwapyeong is posing in front of Incheon Ganghwa Police Station. Photo by Byeon Seonjin

Officer Song chose the path of a police officer as he entered his 30s, a time when his prime as an athlete was gradually passing, and he was contemplating a turning point in life. One of the reasons for his career change was the reality that, even after marriage, he continued to train at Taereung and Jincheon National Training Centers and could not often visit his newlywed home in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. He said, "My wife seemed to be having a hard time, so at first I considered becoming a coach, but when I learned about the special recruitment for martial arts athletes in the police, I decided to take on the challenge."He added, "I poured myself into studying and training, even getting nosebleeds several times, and as a result, I was finally accepted."

Officer Song has only just completed three months as a rookie detective at Ganghwa Police Station. However, he is already gaining fame among local residents as the "real-life Ma Dongseok." Officer Song said, "There are rumors that there is a police officer who is extremely tall and looks intimidating," and "When I respond to calls, suspects often freeze because of my physique, so perhaps because of that, the elders in the neighborhood see me as a reassuring presence."

In March, Officer Song responded to a report that an elderly man was threatening residents with a sickle. Without hesitation, he rushed in and disarmed the man. Officer Song said, "Perhaps because of my large build, I have never encountered anyone who tried to resist or confront me," adding, "Even if someone sounds rough over the phone, when we meet in person, it seems they feel as if they've entered the 'room of truth.'"

Officer Song Hwapyeong is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Byun Seonjin

Officer Song says that the daily life of a detective is not as glamorous as in the movies. In police investigations, securing paperwork and evidence is just as important as catching suspects at the scene. Officer Song said, "In the movie 'The Outlaws,' which left a strong impression on me, Ma Dongseok, who plays a detective, catches the criminal in a cool way and that's the end, but reality is different. For a single case, the paperwork can be as little as 100 pages or as much as 200 pages."

A recent case involving suspected damage to a grave is a representative example. The bereaved family claimed that someone had damaged their ancestor’s grave with an excavator, but Officer Song combined on-site inspection with the opinions of three grave experts and proved that the damage was due to natural causes after prolonged neglect. Officer Song said, "It was a moment when I realized how important meticulous records and analysis are in uncovering the truth."

The Ganghwa Police Station criminal investigation team is divided into two groups of five, each taking 24-hour on-call shifts twice a week. When Officer Song is on duty, he starts work at 9 a.m. and works until the next morning. He said, "When I was an athlete, training and recovery were separate, but as a police officer, there is little time to recover," adding, "When multiple incidents occur during a shift, there are times when my stamina is completely depleted." Even so, when he feels exhausted, he regains his composure by making video calls with his wife and newborn baby. Officer Song said, "Sometimes I watch videos of my old boxing matches or pray to collect my thoughts."

Officer Song Hwapyeong (far right) during his athlete days. Provided by the individual

Although the hard days continue, there are still many rewarding moments. One such moment was when he recently resolved a threat case. At first, it seemed like a simple argument, but as he investigated the case himself, the situation changed.Officer Song meticulously analyzed the victim’s statement and surrounding CCTV footage, and discovered that the perpetrator had threatened the victim with a farming tool, not just through verbal altercation. Officer Song said, "It was especially meaningful to specify the charge as special intimidation rather than simple intimidation and refer the case for prosecution, thanks to my investigation," adding, "It reaffirmed my sense of duty as a detective."

Officer Song recalled receiving a thank-you letter from an elderly couple in March. He said, "At the time, the elderly couple came to the police station after losing important real estate documents, and I found them through CCTV analysis. They were moved to tears," adding, "I realized that what I do can bring great joy to someone."

Officer Song’s goal is to become the best detective. This is also why he enjoys watching detective-related entertainment programs like "Brave Detectives." He said, "I feel a great deal of respect when I see the investigative methods and attitudes of senior detectives," adding, "Personally, I find it very motivating."

Additionally, Officer Song aims to be a firm police officer to criminals and a warm one to citizens. He always keeps in mind that being a detective is not just about catching criminals, but is also about protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding the daily lives of the public at the front line. Officer Song concluded the interview by saying, "I try my best not to overlook anyone’s injustice or fear, thinking of the victims as if they were my own parents, my wife, or my child."