On-Site Police Officer Community Polnetiang, "Traffic Police Work Methods That Wear Out Limbs Must Change"

Police Officer Lee Seong-rim, Who Died in the Line of Duty While Directing Traffic After Work
"A Dangerous Duty Relying on Just a Whistle
Need to Strengthen CCTV Enforcement and More"

Photo by National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The story of the late Sergeant Lee Seong-rim (29), who died in the line of duty while directing traffic at an intersection on his way home from work, has touched many hearts, prompting on-site police officers to call for improvements in the working methods during rush hour.

The on-site police community 'Polnettiang' issued a statement on the police internal network on the 23rd, pointing out the dangers of traffic police work, saying, "They have been performing very dangerous duties, such as stopping vehicles entering in a queue with hand signals while relying on just one whistle."

Polnettiang stated, "Every year, accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities occur continuously at traffic accident scenes, traffic enforcement, or traffic control sites," and urged, "Dangerous work that pushes traffic police officers into life-threatening situations must be improved."

They further suggested, "Instead of blindly deploying traffic police just because 112 emergency calls report traffic congestion or absence of traffic police at intersections, it is necessary to promote awareness so that drivers, who are already aware of the congested roads and times during commuting hours, can avoid or detour those roads and times."

They also emphasized, "Closed-circuit television (CCTV) should be installed in habitual congestion areas to enable constant video enforcement and strengthen mechanical enforcement. Additionally, increasing fines and penalty points for violations of intersection traffic rules should be implemented to encourage drivers to refrain from tailgating on their own."

Sergeant Lee was struck head-on by a vehicle turning left from the direction of Haeundae Police Station toward Gwangandaegyo Bridge at the entrance intersection of Gwa-jeonggyo in Jaesong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, at around 6:47 p.m. on the 14th while directing traffic on his way home. Severely injured, he was transported to a hospital for treatment but passed away on the 21st, a week later. It was especially heartbreaking as he had married four months earlier and his wife was pregnant.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.