[MZ Police Officer] From National Judo Team and 707 Special Mission Unit to Police... The Challenge of "Steel" Jeon Minseon

A Veteran Officer Known as "Steel"
Who Can Instantly Subdue Any Suspect
The Path to a New Challenge
Inspired by Her Son, She Became a Police Officer
Striving to Become a Stronger Police Officer
Maintaining Peak Fitness and Legal Knowledge

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is arriving. It is an era where new employees in their 20s and 30s are shaping the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. The police force consists of various departments, including criminal investigation, intelligence, security, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth. Work environments differ depending on whether one is at a provincial headquarters, police station, riot squad, or local substation, and the nature of the work varies greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and hear vivid stories about their views on work and life.

Gold medal at the Hanoi International Judo Competition, silver medal at the National Judo Competition hosted by the President's Cup, and the first female soldier to perform a high-altitude, oxygen-equipped parachute jump at 7,620 meters.

These are the credentials of Officer Jeon Minseon (36), who works at Ohak Police Substation of the Yeoju Police Station under the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency. Officer Jeon is known locally by the nickname "Steel." This is because she appeared on the military survival reality show "Steel Troops W," which aired in October last year. She spent ten years as a judo athlete, competing as a national representative, and served for eight years as a non-commissioned officer in the High Altitude Reconnaissance Unit of the Army Special Warfare Command's 707 Special Mission Unit, before being discharged as a sergeant. Her impressive list of certifications includes 5th dan in judo, 1st dan in taekwondo, 1st dan in special martial arts, 1st dan in Krav Maga, and a level 2 judo life instructor qualification.

Police Officer Jeon Minseon, who is working at Ohak Police Substation of Yeoju Police Station, is demonstrating the scene of subduing a criminal armed with a weapon. Officer Jeon, a former national judo athlete, has experience as a national judo representative and has served in the 707 Special Mission Unit. Photo by Yoon Dongju

A Veteran Police Officer Who Can Subdue Anyone Instantly

Despite her impressive background, Officer Jeon is the youngest member at her substation, having joined in July last year. After her discharge from the military, she immediately prepared for the police special recruitment exam for martial arts and passed on her first attempt. Unlike the open recruitment process, the martial arts special recruitment is only open to those who have won awards in specific competitions in disciplines such as judo or taekwondo, and the process focuses more on practical skills than written tests.

Although she is the youngest at her substation, Officer Jeon is already a veteran police officer. She has consistently trained in shooting, and during her time at the Central Police Academy, she served as class leader and taught her peers how to shoot. On the job, she draws on her experience as a judo athlete and a soldier, possessing the strength and skills to subdue anyone. Officer Jeon said, "Recently, an intoxicated person threatened us and banged on the police car window. I restrained him with both hands and calmed him down. Incidents like this happen frequently when dealing with intoxicated individuals."

Officer Jeon is also currently serving as a physical force response instructor at Yeoju Police Station. Twice a year, she trains senior officers in arrest techniques, handcuffing, and the use of batons. Since physical force response instructors are usually experienced senior officers, she initially felt pressure, but as soon as she began demonstrating, everyone acknowledged her reliability. Officer Jeon said, "During a physical force response training, a senior officer who was about 180cm tall and weighed 100kg played the role of a suspect, and I subdued him instantly."

In addition to her physical strength, Officer Jeon's courage is also a major asset. Having competed in major tournaments as a judo athlete and undergone rigorous training in the special forces, she has pushed herself to the limit and can remain calm and unafraid in any situation. Officer Jeon said, "When handling incidents and accidents, I am confident that I can do my job without fear, no matter how dangerous the situation may be."

Police officer Minseon Jeon, who is working at Ohak Police Substation of Yeoju Police Station, is responding to an emergency call. Photo by Dongju Yoon

The Path to a New Challenge as a Police Officer

Before preparing to become a police officer, Officer Jeon experienced a slump due to an injury. In 2022, she suffered an open fracture during parachute training, with her ankle bone breaking through the skin. She said, "When I enlisted, I thought being a soldier would be my last job in life, but seeing my bone sticking out made me fear whether I could continue my military career, and I felt a great sense of loss." She added, "Having lived an active life of sports and training, being unable to move and spending six months in the hospital left me feeling helpless. At that time, visits were not allowed due to COVID-19, which made the sense of isolation even worse."

Officer Jeon's decision to become a police officer was greatly influenced by her only son. Shortly after her discharge, while out for a walk, her son saw police officers at a local substation and said, "I wish you would wear a police uniform instead of a military one." This made her seriously consider becoming a police officer. At the time, Officer Jeon tried to dissuade her son from entering the substation, but a police officer allowed them to take a look around, and both she and her son were able to tour the substation.

To take on this new challenge, Officer Jeon went back to basics. Although she aimed for the martial arts special recruitment, she had not worn a judo uniform for eight years due to her military service. She left her husband and son at home and returned to her alma mater in Ulsan, where she had once dreamed of becoming a national judo athlete. She said, "I thought I couldn't beat active athletes if I prepared for the special recruitment in my current condition. Fortunately, a former teammate was now a coach at my alma mater, so I trained and lived with the younger athletes for two months." She continued, "By training and living just like the younger athletes, I was able to recover much of my former form, and as a result, I ranked first in the practical test for the special recruitment."

Police Officer Minseon Jeon, who is working at Ohak Police Substation of Yeoju Police Station, is responding to an emergency call. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Efforts to Become a Strong Police Officer

Her career as a police officer has not always been smooth. In August last year, Officer Jeon revealed that she was distressed when she discovered a deceased person for the first time. Responding to a missing person report, she located the individual in a wooded area behind an apartment building, but the person had already passed away. "If I had arrived just a little earlier, I might have saved someone, so I blamed myself for not being able to do so," she said.

To prevent such situations, Officer Jeon consistently maintains her physical fitness so she can respond faster than anyone in any situation. After her day shifts, she runs 5 to 10 kilometers, and before night shifts, she never skips weight training. On her days off, she usually goes hiking. She said, "Police work involves shift rotations, so it is physically demanding. The moment I feel my stamina is lacking, I believe I can't protect any citizens, so I train even harder."

She also studies law alongside her police work. Officer Jeon listens to online lectures for police officer exam candidates and reviews them repeatedly after work. Since applying the many laws in the field requires constant review, she studies whenever she has time. She said, "Unlike most officers, I joined through the martial arts special recruitment, so I lack legal knowledge compared to others and must keep studying."

Officer Jeon expressed her hope that the police organization will be recognized by citizens as a strong force. She said, "I believe I must first become a strong police officer so that the police can be trusted by citizens," and added, "I hope that more police officers with backgrounds as athletes or special forces will join, so that negative perceptions of the police can be improved." With that, she concluded the interview.