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KBC Relay Interview with YB Ahn (March 3, 2011) - "Keeping the Peace in Korea Society at Large... and at Home!"
 View YB Ahn's profile on KBC |
March 3, 2011 - KBC Relay Interview"Keeping the Peace in Korean Society at Large... and at Home!” YB Ahn Korean Police Officer YB Ahn was interviewed by William Sisson. (Click here for William's relay interview.) |
William: Hi YB. Thank you for doing this interview for KBC. I know you are a new member so would you take a moment and kindly introduce yourself like where you currently live, your hometown, age, blood type etc..
YB Ahn: My name is Mr. YB Ahn, I was born in 1971 (I’m 41, Korean age). Seoul is home, but I was born in 전라북도 …my blood type is B ^.^
William: I understand you have an interesting occupation. Tell me a little about your job
YB Ahn: My job is pretty strait forward: I’m a police officer (this is my 11th year). I’m a regular patrol officer. My rank is Sergeant (4 leafs).
William: That’s pretty cool. I have lived and visited many large metropolitan cities around the world and have also talked with other expats that also feel that Seoul seems to be very safe. Why do think that is?
YB Ahn: It’s likely because gun ownership isn’t legal: If nobody has a gun, nobody is going to get shot. Also, it has a lot to do with traditional Korean culture & the strict rules that people are taught about how to act towards others (based upon age & gender). ALSO, the legal system in Korea assumes that a person is guilty until they show their innocence, so this is a powerful deterrent against breaking the law. Another thing is that police officers vary in their personal style: For example, when it comes to disputes, some of us will go out of our way to avoid having to haul you into the station & book you ~we really try to help people to resolve things without pressing charges against each other –but other cops are the opposite. A person never knows which “flavor” of cop they’ll get.
William: I think that is a great way to run a police department. Helping people first then if guilty you have to do what you have to do. YB, many people complain about so many CCTVs around Seoul. What do you think about using CCTV?
YB Ahn: They’re a useful tool whenever a crime is committed -If you’re not doing anything wrong, then what’s to complain about?
William: Excellent answer and I agree. I also know that you were involved in the G20 Summit planning and other activities. What were some of the biggest headaches as a police officer of that meeting?
YB Ahn: Making sure that we were ready to deal with potential violence in English ^.^
William: That is interesting I guess English is a necessity in a situation like that. We have many young Korean members on KBC that are trying to figure out their career or what they want to do for a living. What advice would you give, say a young Korean who wanted to become a police officer?
YB Ahn: If possible, go visit a police station & hang out at a 지구대 –talk to those who do the job & ask them as many questions as you can. Remember: cops are the ones who get to deal with all of the crazy people, drunk people, uncontrollably angry people & people who have been hurt or victimized. It takes a special type of person to be able to encounter that sort of stuff day-in & day-out …and the paperwork can get really annoying. Also, when somebody breaks the law RIGHT before the end of your shift & you have to take the call, you’re stuck at work until you’ve followed up on the case –imagine a 20-hour-long shift!
William: I know that there is a special test or exam that they must pass. What should they be doing or what does it take to become a cop?
YB Ahn: I think I answered most of this in the previous question. There are a couple of routes to become a cop: either independently studying & writing the exam or by attending the Police University (they still need to write an exam).
William: Do you think police officers are as respected in Korea as they are in other countries?
YB Ahn: I think so –from what I’ve seen in Canada (I went on a ride-along with a team of metro cops in Canada several months ago) police tend to be more feared. I’d much rather be a cop here than there ^.~, our policing systems are more efficient & that makes our job easier & us more effective
William: What are the worst thing and the best things about your job?
YB Ahn: Best thing = the shift cycle of day, night, off, off …it means that I often get a day off during the week (instead of on weekends), so it makes going shopping & running errands so much more do-able (ie: no traffic nightmares) …that and being able to help people.
Worst thing = the paperwork that ensues when somebody commits a crime (multiple crimes) & then resists arrest –especially at the end of a busy night shift >.< NOT FUN!
William:I also understand you are married to a Canadian. How did you two meet?
YB Ahn: We were introduced by a mutual friend who knew that we shared many things in common (including age & an understanding of how the world works & why)
William: In the beginning of your marriage what was one of the biggest problems you two had to overcome?
YB Ahn: Personal communication issues ^.~ …a combination of Korean – Canadian enculturation & maleness –femaleness based stuff
William: What did your families think about the intercultural marriage?
YB Ahn: At first, my parents opposed it –but after about 20 minutes of “NO”, they understood that it was going to be either: I marry her, or I stay single (which was less desirable than having a foreigner on the family tree, since I’m the eldest son ^.~). My wife’s parents were happy to hear she had found her life partner & have always been “for” the marriage.
William: I am very happy for your two and how things have worked out great for your marriage. So, be honest - you’re a Korean man in a masculine career - WHO really does the majority of the housework?
YB Ahn: Definitely me ^.^ I’m much better at it than she ever will be! She can’t cook very well either –although sometimes she gets lucky with one of her “experiments” & makes great fruit juice (no cooking involved).
William: That is so funny because I know your wife, although I have not tasted her cooking yet, now I may not want too. YB, your job has you working some crazy hours, what do you and your wife like to do to relax?
YB Ahn: We like to go exploring on the motorcycle (our all-time favorite activity) ~also, sometimes we go see movies & wander through bookstores. We both enjoy our “solitary time”, so my crazy hours allow us both to get the large amount of solitude that we each need: Usually, when she’s at work, I’m at home & can work on the bike, sleep, and explore the internet …and when she’s at home, I’m often at work or sleeping off a night shift. It works out really well for two introverts like us ^.^ We share high quality time vs high quantity time.
William: Where is your favorite area to travel on your motorcycle?
YB Ahn: 북악산 –the area behind 청와대 …it’s therapeutic for us both to go pretty much anywhere as long as the weather’s good ^.^
William: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me and thank you for joining KBC.
YB Ahn: Thank you William, it was my pleasure to talk with you as well.
Replies to This Discussion | 이 토론에 대한 답글들
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Permalink Reply by Lara Tosh on
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...I have to admit he's right about the cooking: rather frequently, I end up not feeling so great after eating my "experiments". William, it's definitely an "eat at your own risk" kind of thing when it comes to my creations ^.~ Inn contrast, pretty much males EVERYTHING he tries preparing taste irresistably delicious.
As for the housework, let's just say that in my single days, I used to hire an 아줌마 to come in once a week ^.^ -for the record, I've offered to hire someone, but he INSISTS upon doing it himself ^.^ -and he does an AMAZING job (nothing feels better than coming home after a really long day at the office to an apt. that smells & feels clean). I'm the best kept wife in Seoul ^.^
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Permalink Reply by Eun-Shil Park on -
OMG, Lara we could be sisters!
First of all, nice interview! I do have a american friend who's also married with a (female) korean cop. He always says: if i don't shut my mouth on time she will handcuff me in seconds!
About the cooking; well Lara, I always end up with a guy(or date) who suprisingly can cook wonderfull diners and actually likes being a Chef in the kitchen. I am hopeless...i always being kicked out of the kitchen and has to take care of the booz....more my cup of tea so to speak.
I also liked what YB said about being the eldest in the family. I am the eldest too in my korean family. My korean businesspartners tried many time to get me hooked up with a korean man instead of a white guy! Once i introduced a dutch guy in the kitchen of a korean businesspartner of mine. After diner he went automatically to the kitchen to do the dishes, to make some tea/coffee and swept the floor. The wife of my korean businesspartner was in a complete shock! After her "shock" moment she called ALL her female friends to talk about it. (giggle, giggle!) After my visit to their house she said to her husband that after his dead she wanted to marry a dutch guy instead!!
Shil
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^.^ in our relationship, we sort of share the role of "boss" ~but not really ...it's difficult to put into words how we do it exactly, but "whatever it is that we do" communication-wise works ^.~
I think we simply don't get into power struggles (because neither of us ever backs down) & have gotten very good at pre-detecting when we might be headed in that direction -and thus are experts at diverting the situation in a more positive direction.
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re: your friend's observation of his wife ...it might have something to do with how one is enculturated over here with respect to men's & women's roles in marriage -seriously, if you arean't / don't get tough & you're married to a Korean man, you are in for trouble!
As a western female who really didn't know what she had "asked for", I had to learn the hard way ...I suspect that Korean gals start learning from birth (by observing their parents' example).
Several months ago YB told me (half jokingly), that I am a tyrant ^.^ ...obviously, I learned well!
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Permalink Reply by Steven S. Bammel on -
I'm very interested in knowing what measures the government has planned to promote adherence to the traffic laws in Korea. In particular, I'm really sick of the close-calls with cars when in crosswalks walking across the street. I know they're putting CCTVs on intersections across the country, but are those doing any good? It seems this could even be a great revenue source if the fines are big enough and would have the double benefit of making the road safer.
Perhaps I'm a bit sensitive on this subject... My brother-in-law DID get hit walking across a crosswalk, spent weeks in the hospital and then when suing for damages, ended up with a crooked judge who forwarded his case to crooked doctors that said he was unhurt and undeserving of compensation for physical problems that will haunt him the rest of his life.
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What happened to your B-I-L is something that truly upsets me about living here. It bothers me that there is an apparent lack of value placed upon human life when it comes to a choice between getting somewhere quickly and getting there safely.
I'm sick of exactly the same thing >.< It drives me nutts that drivers believe that they have the right of way in pedstrian crosswalks when they have a red light AND that there are no real punnishments for breaking the law (and crooked judges & drs sure as heck don't help things either).
From what I can tell, the system appears to be set up to protect those who violate the law. I'm eagerly awaiting the answer to the question you posed (I hope he knows).
Imposing & enforcing REAL consequences for violations would definitely go a very long way towards changing driving habits here.
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I've also often wondered why there doesn't seem to be much of a firm crack-down on traffic violations. From what I understand based upon YB's past postings, there is only one special detachment within each jurisdiction (Gu) which is designated as the "traffic detachment office" -which isn't very many cops on any given shift (15'ish per team, with 4 teams that rotate through a 4-day schedule).
Given the sheer number of motorists & the types of violations, that doesn't seem to be enough. Of course, the regular detachment guys can jump on traffic violations, but they are expected to focus upon walk-ins, foot, motorcycle & car patrol of their area, and responding to 112 calls before anything else.
Factor in that cops (after 10 years of service) take home less per month an a 23 / 24-yr-old English Hackwon teacher just starting out in Korea (for working more hours & having to deal with annoyances that far exceed anything one might find in a classroom -regardless of the age-range), and you can imagine that motivation overall might not be as high as it could be.
Personally, in my very biased opinion, there should be some sort of incentive or "points" program for cops: the more of a certain number of violations you crack down on, the more points you get -and those points count towards something (ie: early promotion, extra vacation time, etc.). Add that to subsantially increasing the amount of fines, and you have happy, harder-working cops (playing a "points" game) -PLUS increased revenue for the government.
...and motorists that actually stop at red lights & wait until the crosswalk is clear before plowing through.
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