A police officer who suffered a severe injury resulting in the amputation of his ankle while responding to a traffic accident on the highway reportedly told his wife, "I'm sorry," upon regaining consciousness.
On November 5, police officials stated that Kim Jong-cheol, the acting chief of the National Police Agency, visited the officer, identified as Officer A from the Gyeongnam Southern Police Agency's Highway Patrol, at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon on November 3.
Officer A was critically injured around 4 a.m. on October 24 while managing the scene of a traffic accident near the Yeoju Rest Area on the Yeongdong Expressway, when he was struck by a 6.5-ton cargo truck and required emergency surgery.
Kim expressed his shock upon hearing about the accident, stating, "I was deeply saddened when I first learned of the incident. I wanted to visit and offer my condolences as soon as possible, but after the emergency surgery, he needed intensive care, which limited visitation. Fortunately, his condition stabilized recently, allowing me to visit him in the hospital."
He added, "The first words Officer A spoke to his wife after regaining consciousness were 'I'm sorry.' Hearing that someone who needs comfort and care expressed such a sentiment was heart-wrenching."
Kim noted that the police agency and the Gyeongnam Southern Police Agency have activated a dedicated support system to communicate directly with the family and assist with treatment support, injury compensation applications, and insurance processing. He assured that they would provide support for Officer A's medical leave and injury-related leave, allowing him to focus on recovery and rehabilitation. Additionally, psychological counseling will be offered to family members and colleagues who were significantly affected by the incident.
Kim emphasized, "It is not a special consideration but a duty of the police organization to take full responsibility for officers injured while protecting the public. We will ensure appropriate compensation and recognition for the dedication of our frontline officers and will work with relevant agencies to swiftly address any shortcomings."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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