By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
Yoon Hwa-ja, a 36-year-old inspector at Seoul Metropolitan Agency, won the fourth annual Damo Award on Tuesday, marking the 61st anniversary of the birth of policewoman in the nation.
The award, established in 2004 to commemorate Damo, a legendary policewoman from Joseon Kingdom (1392-1980), is given to policewomen with highest arrest rate and who greatly contribute to the protection of society and the well-being of its citizens.
Hwa-ja spent 13 years out of her 17-year-career arresting felons including drug dealers and crime ring leaders. Her win helped propel her responsibilities from sergeant to inspector.
In 2006 alone, she arrested 110 people, including those involved in illegal gambling, illegal sex trade and rape.
``I never regretted being a policewoman. It’s a great job where you can contribute to social justice,’’ she said. ``In order to be called a `detective,’ not `female detective,’ I would voluntarily work longer hours, concentrating on solving cases when my colleagues had left the office. I feel most proud of my job when I see my daughter being proud of her mothers’ job.’’
She said the most thrilling experience was when she succeeded in arresting 20 drug dealers in January 2005 in Itaewon, Seoul. Disguised as the girlfriend of a drug buyer, she had to coax a drug dealer into a corner to make the arrest. After changing the meeting place by an hour, the drug dealer called Yoon to take the car that was coming to pick her up.
She said that she hesitated for a moment because she could not see her six detective colleagues. As soon as she bravely entered the car, the criminal locked the doors as he realized that cops were around him. Yoon had to endure a few minutes fighting with the drug dealer until her colleagues came to the rescue.
Owing to Yoon’s great courage, the police were able to arrest all 20 drug dealers.