Died in the Line of Duty While Handling Accident, Late Superintendent Lee Seungcheol Posthumously Awarded Green Stripes Order of Service Merit

NPA Vows to Strengthen Honors Based on State Responsibility

A police officer who died in the line of duty after being hit by a drowsy driver while handling a traffic accident has been posthumously awarded the Green Stripes Order of Service Merit.

The National Police Agency announced on the 25th that the posthumous conferment of the Green Stripes Order of Service Merit on the late Superintendent Lee Seungcheol was finally approved at a Cabinet meeting. Earlier, on the day of the accident, Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jaeseong visited the mourning altar, conferred a posthumous one-rank promotion, and presented a meritorious service plaque. The National Police Agency solemnly held the funeral as that of the Commissioner of the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency on the 6th of last month. The deceased was laid to rest at the Imsil National Cemetery, and national honors were accorded throughout the entire funeral process.

Colleagues are saluting at the funeral service for the late Police Superintendent Lee Seungcheol held this January at Ongoeul Hall of the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency. Yonhap News

The deceased died in the line of duty on the 4th of last month near the Gochang Junction on the northbound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway, when he was struck from behind by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) whose driver had fallen asleep at the wheel, while he was performing traffic control duties at the scene of a prior traffic accident.

The National Police Agency is systematically preparing the relevant procedures, including consulting with labor law firms and attorneys, so that the approval of death in the line of duty and the compensation process can proceed smoothly. It is working to ensure that economic support for the bereaved family, such as survivors' pensions, compensation payments, and consolation money, can be provided swiftly, while also striving to alleviate psychological trauma and help the bereaved family and fellow officers return to their daily lives through emergency psychological support and psychological stabilization leave programs.

Measures to prevent a recurrence are also being strengthened. The National Police Agency has immediately improved on-site safety rules for highway traffic accidents, including increasing rear safety distances and deploying additional patrol cars. It is also continuing institutional improvements by regularly conducting joint field training (FTX) with the Korea Expressway Corporation to enhance capabilities for preventing secondary accidents.

An official from the National Police Agency said, "We will ensure that the sacrifice of a police officer who devoted himself to the people is respected and that the lives of his family members are stably protected," adding, "We plan to strengthen honors and support based on the responsibility of the state."