Mokpo Coast Guard Officer Kwon Jae-jun Replaces Summer Vacation with Volunteer Work and Donations in Flood-Affected Areas

Joining Recovery Efforts at Flood Site in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk... Late Report Sparks Attention

As the summer vacation season arrives, with an increasing number of vacationers seeking leisure to escape the hot weather and exhausting daily life, a marine police officer who spent a special and meaningful summer vacation not at a resort but elsewhere has recently come to light, becoming a topic of interest.

The protagonist is Police Lieutenant Kwon Jae-jun (43 years old) of the Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Kim Hae-cheol). Lieutenant Kwon visited the flood damage site in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, where human casualties and property damage occurred due to record-breaking heavy rain last month, and participated in recovery work during his summer vacation.

Kwon, the rescue team leader of the Mokpo Maritime Police patrol vessel 1509, rushed to Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, on the 18th of last month, the day after completing a 7-night, 8-day maritime patrol mission, and stayed there for two weeks to assist in flood recovery activities.

Kwon Jae-jun, Police Lieutenant, Mokpo Maritime Police Station

Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, where 17 people were affected by the recent heavy rain (15 dead, 2 missing) and about 30 houses were lost due to landslides, is personally Lieutenant Kwon’s hometown and also the location of his late father’s grave, who passed away in May.

"While carrying out a mission in the middle of the sea, I heard through the media that my hometown suffered severe flood damage, and I decided to use my summer vacation to help," said Lieutenant Kwon. "When I actually arrived at the flood site, it was overwhelming, but thinking of the affected residents’ feelings, I diligently cleared away soil and stones."

Instead of enjoying a sweet summer vacation, Lieutenant Kwon chose to sweat it out at the flood site. Over the past 27 years, he has donated more than 270 blood donation certificates and, for the past 16 years, has regularly supported 10 children and pediatric cancer and leukemia patients, personally practicing the sharing of life.

Recognized for these contributions, Lieutenant Kwon received the LG Hero Award in 2021, and he donated the entire prize money of 20 million won to leukemia patient organizations and families of marine police colleagues raising children of patients.

Even when leaving the flood recovery site this time, Lieutenant Kwon found it hard to part ways. He donated 1 million won, which he had saved by cutting back on his allowance, to the Gyeongbuk Social Welfare Community Chest before returning to his duty station in Mokpo.

Now in his 13th year as a specially recruited rescue marine police officer, Lieutenant Kwon has rescued more than 370 people through over 800 maritime missions. While working diligently, he has also engaged in volunteer and donation activities, demonstrating efforts that transcend sea and land as well as jurisdictional boundaries.

"I feel shy that what I do voluntarily is being recognized, but at the same time, I feel good," said Lieutenant Kwon Jae-jun. "Going forward, as a marine police rescue team member, I will continue to strive to protect the precious lives and property of the people and live a life dedicated to helping those in need."

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