How to Say "Police Officer" in Korean

경찰관

gyeongchalgwan[ˈkjɘ(ː)ŋt͡ɕʰa̠ɭɡwa̠n]

The Korean word for police officer is 경찰관 (gyeongchalgwan). Wiktionary also lists 안전원 (anjeonwon) and 보안원 (boanwon).

Meaning: peace officer who is a member of a police force (noun)

Ways to say it

“police officer” in Korean
Korean	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA	Note
경찰관	gyeongchalgwan	[ˈkjɘ(ː)ŋt͡ɕʰa̠ɭɡwa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)
안전원	anjeonwon	[ˈa̠(ː)ɲd͡ʑʌ̹nwʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)	North Korea
보안원	boanwon	[ˈpo̞(ː)a̠nwʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)	North Korea

경찰관 is used to refer to a peace officer who is a member of a police force.

경찰관 is composed of 경찰, meaning police and 관, meaning official or officer.

In North Korea, the terms 안전원 (security officer or safety officer) and 보안원 are used to refer to security or police personnel.

gyeongchalgwan

In casual conversation or media, you might hear the term 포돌이 (Podori), which is the name of the official police mascot and is sometimes used affectionately to refer to officers.
While 경찰관 is the standard term, many Koreans colloquially address a police officer as 경찰 아저씨, meaning 'police uncle'.
The word 경찰 (police) is composed of characters that literally translate to 'to watch' and 'to govern'.

경찰관은 도로 교통 규칙을 시행합니다.
The police officer enforces traffic rules.
그 경찰이 범인을 잡았다고 들었어?
Did you hear that the police officer caught the criminal?
경찰관이 길을 안내하고 있어요.
gyeongchalgwani gireul annaehago isseoyo.
A police officer is guiding the way.

Minjun and Subin are walking in a park and see a police officer.

민준 Min-jun

저기 경찰관이 있어요.
jeogi gyeongchalgwani isseoyo.
There is a police officer over there.
수빈 Su-bin

정말 친절해 보이시네요.
jeongmal chinjeolhae boisineyo.
He looks very kind.
민준 Min-jun

길을 물어볼까요?
gireul mureobolkkayo?
Shall we ask him for directions?
수빈 Su-bin

네, 좋아요.
ne, joayo.
Yes, that's a good idea.

Sources

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