The next-generation protective gear for police / Courtesy of National Police Agency

A saw-wielding man injured three police officers in downtown Gwangju three weeks ago, reminding the public of the dangers they face daily.

To better protect the first responders, the National Policy Agency (NPA) will start providing lighter, more durable protective gear next month, it said Tuesday.

The next-generation safety equipment includes stab-resistant vests, jackets, neck guards as well as shields.

Police officers in criminal and 16 other departments will receive them.

Many police officers have pointed out that the current safety gear is too heavy and rigid, which hampers their body movement.

The new vests are 30 percent lighter and far more flexible while providing better protection to the torso.

The new police shield / Courtesy of National Police Agency

The most common complaint about the current police shields has been about their size — the big one is cumbersome and the smaller one is too small. The latest model has the ideal size many have asked for, according to the NPA.

"Police officers have faced increasing risks to their safety in recent years amid an increase in the number of unusual crimes," NPA Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun said. "The next-generation protective equipment will help them respond more proactively and safely."

According to the latest data available, the number of police officers injured by criminal suspects was 336 in 2022, up by a whopping 284 from the previous year.