[MZ Rookie Officer] "Why I Became a Police Officer"...The Youngest Officer Who Once Dreamed of Being a Vocalist

Officer Sojung Park of Jinjeop Police Substation, Namyangju Northern Police Station, Gyeonggi Province

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is coming. Now, it is the newcomers in their 20s and 30s who shape the future of organizational culture. Police organizations are no exception. The police force is made up of a wide variety of departments, including criminal investigation, intelligence, security, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth affairs. Work environments differ greatly depending on whether one is at a provincial office, police station, mobile unit, or local substation, and the duties vary widely by region. Through the eyes of the youngest police officers, we introduce each department and hear their vivid stories about work and life as they see it.

"My heart swelled when I saw the police officers apprehending a hit-and-run drunk driver. That was the moment I decided to pursue a dream in law enforcement instead of becoming a vocalist."

Sojung Park, a 28-year-old police officer working at Jinjeop Police Substation of Namyangju Northern Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, was once a promising aspiring vocalist, having won second place at the Haneum Music Competition in 2016. However, witnessing a hit-and-run accident in 2017 while she was studying for exams became a turning point in her life. She said, "After that day, I realized that police officers are people who protect the lives of others," and added, "I became a police officer because I wanted to be the first person to run to someone in need."

Police Officer Sojung Park, who is working at Jinjeop Police Substation of Namyangjubukbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Seonjin Byun

Officer Park's Busy Day: "It's Okay Because I'm Young"

Jinjeop Police Substation is located in an area where urban and rural communities coexist. Because of this, the nature of the incidents they respond to varies widely. Officer Park explained, "In urban areas, we mostly handle sensitive civil complaints such as domestic violence, drunk driving, and noise between floors, while in rural areas, we often encounter unique cases like theft or damage to crops. Due to the characteristics of the region, we face a variety of incidents beyond simple patrols or handling complaints."

Officer Park's day begins with checking equipment such as patrol cars and breathalyzers. After reviewing various documents, including statements from complainants and duty logs, she goes out on patrol. In addition to cracking down on traffic violations, she checks vehicles to identify wanted cars or those showing suspicious signs. She said, "Patrolling is not just about driving around; it's about detecting and responding to dangers on the road as part of maintaining public safety."

Although she is a rookie officer, Park has proven herself in the field with her keen observation and composure. For example, she recognized and apprehended a top-level wanted suspect at the scene of a stalking report, and in a theft case, she identified a suspect by matching their appearance in CCTV footage.

Police Officer Sojung Park, who is working at Jinjeop Police Substation of Namyangju Northern Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, is patrolling while driving a police vehicle herself. Photo by Seonjin Byun

Observation and Empathy Are Her Strengths

Officer Park considers her greatest strength to be her empathy. One day, a college student visited the substation saying, "I want to die." After talking with Officer Park for over an hour, the student found comfort in her calm empathy and attentive listening, and was able to return home in a more stable state. She said, "You can never really know how serious someone is about attempting suicide, so every word has to be chosen carefully. Even a well-intentioned word of comfort could become a trigger, so I tried to focus on empathizing and listening as much as possible."

Victims of domestic violence and stalking, who often find it difficult to speak up, tend to open up to Officer Park. She pays close attention to her tone, eye contact, and posture in order to build trust with victims. Park said, "Sometimes, it's more important to read the other person's emotions before speaking and to wait patiently." Perhaps for this reason, she is often assigned to victim counseling. She said, "My seniors praise me for being a good listener, and I feel proud when victims feel comfortable enough to share their honest stories with me."

Police Officer Sojung Park singing at the recent retirement ceremony for the first half of the year held at the Namyangjubukbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province. Photo by the individual

Showcasing Her Vocal Talent... Interested in Criminal Investigation

Officer Park also makes full use of her vocal training. She has performed as the main vocalist of a band at events such as the 79th Police Day, the Namyangju Northern Police Station retirement ceremony, and the Gyeonggi Northern Police Chief’s visit, receiving enthusiastic applause. Park said, "It all started when my vocal background came up during an interview at the Central Police Academy, and I ended up singing. I never thought I would be on stage again after becoming a police officer," she said, "Sometimes, I still dream of being a vocalist, but these experiences are more than enough for me."

Meanwhile, Officer Park was granted preliminary investigator qualification at the Central Police Academy?a credential given to officers with outstanding investigative abilities, allowing them to enter investigative departments earlier. Initially, she was interested in investigating women and youth cases, but after gaining field experience, she became attracted to criminal investigation as well. Park said, "My senior detectives say that although the work is tough, it's so addictive that you can't leave even if you get hurt. I want to experience detective work myself. I believe I can hold my own physically when it comes to apprehending criminals."

When she feels tired, Park recharges by listening to upbeat music on her way home or by having casual conversations with her fellow officers. She practiced boxing for five years and is now learning judo. Park said, "After becoming a police officer, I realized that it's not just a job about catching criminals, but also about dealing with people's hearts. I always approach victims and their families as if they were my own, and I promise to give them my all."