[MZ Officer] Gangnam Has the Most Traffic Accidents... The Youngest Member of the Traffic Division Continues to Grow

Handling Dozens of Complaints Daily
Flexibility and Wit Are Essential for the Traffic Investigation Team in Gangnam
Officer Dami Yoon Strives to Balance Professionalism with a Sense of Humor

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is arriving. New employees in their 20s and 30s are now shaping the future of organizational culture. The police force is no exception. The police are divided into various departments such as criminal investigation, general investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, inspection, and women and youth. The work environment varies depending on whether one is stationed at a provincial headquarters, police station, mobile unit, or local precinct, and the nature of the work differs greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest officers, we introduce their departments and hear vivid stories about their thoughts on work and life.

"This is the area with the highest number of traffic accidents in Seoul, and we handle dozens of complaints every day."

At 7:30 a.m. on August 19, Officer Dami Yoon (28) of the Traffic Investigation Team 1, Traffic Division, Gangnam Police Station, Seoul, arrived at work 30 minutes early and started by checking her work phone. Due to the nature of the traffic investigation team, which deals with a high volume of complaints, there are dozens of missed calls every day. Officer Yoon, who joined the force in December 2023 and transferred from the Yeoksam Precinct to the traffic investigation team in April this year, is the youngest member of the team. However, she is growing into a seasoned officer with the flexibility to handle any complaint.

Police Officer Dami Yoon (28) of the Traffic Investigation Team 1, Traffic Division, Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, is handling a complaint on the 19th. Photo by Seungwook Park

The traffic investigation team is responsible for determining fault in traffic accidents, which means handling a large number of complaints. The Gangnam Police Station's traffic investigation section consists of four teams. Traffic Investigation Team 1, which includes Officer Yoon and five other members, alone handles about 50 complaints per day. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, there were 3,754 traffic accidents in Gangnam District, Seoul last year, the highest in the city. This figure is more than 1,200 cases higher than Songpa District, which ranked second with 2,500 cases. Even nationwide, including cities and counties, Gangnam ranks second only to Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province (4,162 cases) for the most frequent traffic accidents.

Because the team handles so many complaints and incidents, the most essential skills for the traffic investigation team are quick thinking and flexibility. Both the parties at fault and the victims are often agitated, expressing frustration or inquiring about the progress of investigations. The team must calm them down and clearly explain the situation. Officer Yoon said, "From the complainant's perspective, a traffic accident is a sensitive and infuriating event. In these situations, if you can help calm the complainant and handle things with wit, you can investigate cases more quickly and process more complaints and incidents as a result."

Recently, a complainant claimed that their arm was hit by the side mirror of a passing car, but the case was closed as no charges were found. This was because neither the security camera footage nor the dashcam supported the complainant's claim, and no medical certificate was submitted. Officer Yoon said, "In such cases, the complainant called more than ten times, asking what fine would be imposed on the driver and how the case would be handled. It is not easy to respond to situations like this," she admitted.

Police Officer Dami Yoon (28) of the Traffic Investigation Team 1, Traffic Division, Gangnam Police Station, Seoul, is posing in front of the local police station. Photo by Seungwook Park

What Officer Yoon has learned from her seniors is the importance of "law and principles." While it is important to greet complainants with a smile when handling traffic accident complaints, it is equally crucial to respond to unreasonable requests regarding investigations strictly according to the law and established principles. Officer Yoon said, "Sometimes, handling complaints can be exhausting for police officers, but my seniors always advise me not to let emotions affect my work. In such cases, it is important to clearly explain the applicable laws, such as the Road Traffic Act, and maintain a firm attitude."

Being kind to complainants while conducting thorough investigations ultimately leads to persistence. Last month, there was an incident where a city bus collided with the rear of a taxi. The case was reported by the taxi driver, but since the bus driver was unaware of the accident, it was difficult to identify the at-fault vehicle. Reviewing the taxi's dashcam footage was unhelpful because the rear camera was angled upwards, making it impossible to see the license plate or the offending vehicle. Officer Yoon checked the internal camera, identified the color of the vehicle through the window, and visited several bus stops near the scene. She then contacted bus companies operating buses in that color and was able to identify the at-fault vehicle.

Officer Yoon's goal, driven by such persistence, is to become a police officer who is both professional and never loses her sense of humor or wit. She concluded, "You can study and look up the law, but wit and flexibility can only be acquired through constant effort. I want to become a police officer who can demonstrate both wit and professionalism in any situation."