Suicide rate rises in South Korea

Seoul, Aug 6 (Prensa Latina) The suicide rate in South Korea increased by 10.1 percent year-on-year in the January-May 2024 period, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare released today.

August 6, 2024
11:46

A total of 6,375 people committed suicide in the first five months of this year, government data revealed.

The ministry assessed that the increase in the number of suicides this year may be attributable to social isolation, economic hardship and depression following the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Korea’s suicide rate was the highest among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as the country reported 24.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2020; more than double the OECD average of 10.7 cases.

This Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare held a regular meeting with relevant ministries and civic groups to discuss measures to prevent people from taking their own lives.

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