"You Are Under Arrest": Trainee Who Chased Down Molester Patrols the Streets on Foot Every Day Like That Day [MZ Police Officer]

A Police Officer Who Grows Through Action in the Field
From Preventing Tragedy on Yanghwa Bridge
to His First Protest Assignment at the Constitutional Court

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is arriving. We are living in an era where new recruits in their 20s and 30s are shaping the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. Within the police force, there are a variety of departments, including criminal investigation, investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth. The working environments differ across provincial agencies, police stations, mobile units, and local precincts or police boxes, and the duties also vary widely 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.

"You are under arrest for violating the Immigration Control Act and on suspicion of forcible molestation."

Police Officer Choi Sungwook is posing in front of the main building of the Mapo Police Station in Seoul, where the 84th Mobile Unit of the 8th Mobile Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is located. Photo by Park Seungwook

An unexpected chase unfolded on the club street in Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Police Officer Choi Sungwook (24), who responded to a report that a foreign man had molested a woman, requested the man's ID, but the man suddenly bolted and ran away. After a chase of about 100 meters, Officer Choi caught the man and was able to prevent further harm. This incident took place last August, when Officer Choi was still a trainee at Hongik Police Precinct of the Mapo Police Station in Seoul before graduating from the Central Police Academy.

A Police Officer at Home in the Field, Always on the Move

When interviewed by Asia Economy, Officer Choi introduced himself as someone who thrives in the field. From intoxicated individuals to lost children, the field is a constant state of chaos, but rather than being afraid, Officer Choi learned by confronting challenges head-on. He said, "I prefer being active in the field to sitting still, and this suits my personality. On top of that, as a police officer, I get to help citizens, so I am enjoying learning the job."

Even after being officially assigned to Hongik Police Precinct last September, Officer Choi barely had time to rest. He once saved a citizen at risk on Yanghwa Bridge. After receiving a missing person report, Officer Choi learned through location tracking that the missing person was near Yanghwa Bridge. Fearing the worst, he hurriedly searched the area, found the individual, and handed them over to their guardian. Officer Choi said, "The person had been having dark thoughts, so the person who reported them was very worried. I felt proud to have prevented the worst-case scenario, and I realized how important a sense of responsibility is as a police officer."

Officer Choi's proactive approach was greatly influenced by his background in Taekwondo, which he practiced for about 10 years as an athlete starting in elementary school. He holds a 4th-degree black belt and even worked as a Taekwondo instructor before becoming a police officer. The sole reason he chose to become a police officer was his desire to help citizens.

Police officer Choi Sungwook is reporting after visiting the protest site. Photo by Park Seungwook

Officer Choi said, "I've always liked helping others since I was young. If I saw an elderly person carrying a heavy load, I would immediately run over to help them carry it. If I saw someone drunk lying on the street, I would wake them up and check if they were breathing." He continued, "After more than 10 years of Taekwondo, I developed physical strength and an active personality, which I thought matched well with being a police officer. I feel a sense of fulfillment every moment as I work actively in the field."

To become a better field officer, he also consistently studied the law, an area where he felt he was lacking. Officer Choi made efforts to acquire legal knowledge and practice explaining it, so he could appropriately apply the law to various situations in the field and explain it to suspects. He said, "When arresting or questioning suspects, I have to cite legal grounds, but in the beginning, I often rambled. I realized that if I didn't do this properly, it would not only reflect poorly on me but also on the organization. So after work, I always studied the law and practiced explaining it to apply it correctly in the field."

First Protest Assignment at the Constitutional Court... "I Was Frozen with Nerves"

Currently, due to his mandatory service in the mobile unit, Officer Choi has been working with the 84th Mobile Unit of the 8th Mobile Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency since April this year. With the recent increase in protests due to the domestic political situation, his days have become increasingly hectic. Because protests can occur at any time, he often starts work earlier and finishes later than scheduled. Even during on-call shifts, he frequently has to guard protest sites before his official start time due to manpower shortages. Officer Choi said, "These days, there are times when I have to go to work before the first subway train, so I often sleep at the workplace the night before and start my shift from there."

His first assignment with the mobile unit was at a protest related to the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol. Officer Choi said, "I knew nothing about the job, but my seniors were moving busily, and the news was reporting that the area near the Constitutional Court was being put in a vacuum state. I was scared when it was time to be dispatched. I was so nervous at the time that I was frozen at the scene."

Police Officer Choi Sungwook is posing in front of the signboard of the 84th Mobile Unit, 8th Mobile Division, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at Mapo Police Station in Seoul. Photo by Park Seungwook

However, Officer Choi quickly adapted thanks to his trademark proactive attitude. He said, "I'm the type of person who gets stressed when I feel I'm lacking in something. To avoid repeating the experience of freezing up during my first protest assignment near the Constitutional Court, I asked my seniors for help, and while waiting in the police bus, I was the first to get off and organize the equipment. By actively engaging in my duties, I was able to learn the job quickly."

Now he is skilled at handling protest site duties. Officer Choi said, "At protest sites, I often see many elderly people. Since I grew up with my grandmother, I don't find it difficult to interact with seniors. When elderly participants complain to me, I respond with a smile, like a grandchild talking to their grandparents, and say, 'You shouldn't do this.' This helps to diffuse the situation and prevent incidents."

After finishing his on-call shift that day, Officer Choi will take two days off before heading back to the protest site. Although he no longer responds to emergency calls as he did at the local precinct, he continues to protect citizens on the streets. Even on exhausting days, Officer Choi patrols the field on foot every day, just as he did on the day he chased down the molester.