[MZ Rookie Police Officer] "History Is Our Compass"... Passing Down the Legacy of the Police Force

This Year Marks the Decade Publication of the Police History
Sergeant Lee's Efforts to Promote Police History
A Rookie Police Officer with 1000% Job Satisfaction

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is coming. We are living in 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 is made up of various departments, including criminal investigation, intelligence, security, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth. Work environments differ across metropolitan agencies, local police stations, mobile units, and precincts, and the duties vary greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and hear their vivid stories about work and life as they see it.

"Compiling and writing the history of the Korean police serves as a compass, showing the direction the police should take in the future."

At the Korean Police History Compilation Task Force office in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Sergeant Jinyoung Lee (31) took out and showed the published volumes of the "Korean Police History." First compiled in 1972 and published every 10 years since, this book is a comprehensive historical record documenting the evolution of the police system, major incidents, and on-site accounts from each era. Sergeant Lee explained, "Collecting and organizing scattered records is the foundation for establishing the identity of the police."

Sergeant Jinyoung Lee (Korean Police History Compilation Task Force) is explaining the significance of writing the Korean Police History. Photo by Dongju Yoon

This Year Marks the Decade Publication of the Police History

This year, the police history covering the years from 2015 to 2024 will be published. To write this volume, the police established a dedicated task force of seven members in March. The goal is to complete the compilation by December. Currently, the team is collecting historical materials and conducting public outreach simultaneously. Sergeant Lee stated, "This compilation is especially meaningful as it summarizes the past decade in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the police," and added, "Recording and sharing the experiences of senior officers is the greatest asset we can pass on to the next generation."

Sergeant Lee believes that the police history can instill pride in younger generations of police officers. Lee said, "If the police history becomes a record showing how the police have overcome challenges and stood by the people, it will give younger officers a greater sense of devotion to their profession," and added, "If the public comes to understand the path the police have walked, they will view today's police with greater warmth."

Sergeant Jinyoung Lee (Korean Police History Compilation Task Force) is explaining the significance of writing the Korean Police History Compilation. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Sergeant Lee's Efforts to Promote Police History 

Sergeant Lee is making various efforts to make the police history more accessible. Inspired by Lee's ideas, the Central Police Academy hosted the "Police History Golden Bell" quiz event this year, giving 2,400 new police officers an opportunity to learn about police history. In addition, Lee collaborated with KTV to discover and re-edit police footage from 1950s Korean newsreels, and worked with the AI restoration YouTube channel "Geuryeo dream - Drawing the World" to vividly recreate the images of five "police heroes."

Last May, to produce the "Police Times," Lee interviewed a "three-generation police family." The story features former police officer Um Sangyun (joined in 1973, retired from Mungyeong Police Station in 2004), second-generation officer Um Daeseop (joined in 1997, currently with the Traffic Safety Division of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency), and third-generation officer Um Eunjin (joined in 2024, currently with Cheongsong Police Station in North Gyeongsang Province). Their memories, passed down through generations, vividly capture changes in shift work and the evolution of patrol cars, resonating deeply within the police force. Lee remarked, "I was deeply impressed by the fact that the history of the police continues to live and breathe within a single family," and added, "I wanted to show that police history is still ongoing today."

The project of having Korean War veteran police officers and current officers take a commemorative photo together also originated from Lee's idea. In July, Lee collaborated with photographer Rami, who mainly photographs Korean War veterans, to bring together a total of 22 people: nine retired police officers and 13 current officers. The oldest participant was former officer Jeon Baekgyu, who turned 100 this year. Lee recalled, "When the senior officers said, 'We thought we had been forgotten, but thank you for honoring us like this,' I was truly moved."

Sergeant Jinyoung Lee (Korean Police History Compilation Task Force) is explaining a photo taken of police officers who served during the Korean War and current police officers gathered in one place during an interview with Asia Economy. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

A Rookie Police Officer with 1000% Job Satisfaction 

Lee confidently described job satisfaction as "1000%." Lee said, "The police is an organization where you can experience dozens of different roles, from public service to investigation, public relations, and international affairs," and added, "If a particular department doesn't suit you, there's no need to be discouraged-you can always try another." Lee continued, "There are many tough moments, but I enjoy working thanks to great colleagues," and added, "I hope to maintain this level of satisfaction and pass it on to future generations."

Lee concluded, "Through the experience of compiling and promoting police history, I realized that it's possible to introduce the police to the public in ways that are relatable, not just through old-fashioned methods," and added, "I want to increase public trust and affection for the police through creative activities."