Sudden Death of Police Officer Amidst Increased Workload Sparks Concerns
A police officer in his 50s, identified as Kim (김) from the 6th Mobile Police Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, tragically passed away on February 21, 2025. He was found unresponsive at his home in Gyeonggi Province after completing a grueling 21-hour shift. Kim had returned home after his duty, had lunch, and went to sleep, but never woke up. His wife, Lee (이), discovered him when she returned home from a part-time job early the next morning.
Lee recounted that she knocked on the door of their bedroom but received no response. Upon entering, she found her husband lying in an unusual position, with signs of fluid coming from his mouth and nose. Initially, she suspected he might have been injured during a protest, but upon touching his cold skin, she realized he had passed away.
An autopsy conducted by the National Forensic Service indicated that a brain hemorrhage was the cause of death. The family claims that Kim had no prior health issues. Lee expressed her shock and guilt, stating, "I feel sorry that he must have suffered while working in the cold on the streets. His work schedule was relatively regular before the impeachment crisis, but it became unpredictable afterward, which stressed him out."
Kim's older brother mentioned that his sibling often complained about the overwhelming workload and sudden demands to report for duty, even on his days off. The family plans to inquire with the police about recognizing Kim's death as a line-of-duty incident.
Colleagues who attended Kim's funeral shared their frustrations about the chaotic work schedules following the declaration of martial law. They reported instances of working up to 26 hours straight and often feeling exhausted. One officer noted that they sometimes only managed to get a few hours of sleep before returning to work, leading to a cycle of fatigue.
The increased number of protests and demonstrations in the wake of the impeachment crisis has led to longer hours for police officers, particularly those in the mobile units. According to data submitted to the National Assembly, the number of protests in December 2024 reached 534, a 12% increase from the previous year. The number of mobile police units deployed to manage these events also rose significantly.
The physical demands on officers have been exacerbated by the rising intensity of protests, with reports indicating that many officers have sustained injuries during recent events. One officer involved in crowd control during a violent incident at the Western District Court noted the growing challenges posed by increasingly aggressive demonstrations.
As the situation continues to evolve, the health and safety of police officers remain a pressing concern amidst the ongoing political turmoil.
