This file photo taken Sept. 10, 2023, shows a statue installed on a bridge over the Han River for the prevention of suicide. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 14 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of South Koreans taking their own lives soared nearly 34 percent in January from a year earlier, data showed Friday.
The number of suicides reached 1,321 in January, an increase of 334 from the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which was released during the government’s meeting on suicide prevention.
The ministry attributed the sharp rise in suicides in January to a so-called copycat suicide effect after a famous person committed suicide in December last year, urging media outlets to be prudent when reporting suicides of celebrities.
In January, male suicides rose by 44 percent, while female suicides increased by 10.4 percent.
The total number of suicides came to 13,770 in 2023 as well, rising 6.7 percent from the previous year.
To address the rising number of suicides, the government held panel meetings on prevention in April and May, where experts suggested that media coverage of celebrity suicides contributed to the increase.
The government urged media outlets to refrain from detailing methods, locations and motivations in suicide news coverage and to avoid using euphemisms like “radical decision,” which are often used to describe suicides.
The government also announced that it will unveil guidelines on suicide reporting for other media platforms, such as YouTube, within the year.
Additionally, South Korea plans to provide up to 1 million won (US$726) for medical treatments for people aged 19 to 34 who have attempted suicide.
The country has also decided to designate sodium nitrite, used in the production of processed meat, as a chemical that can be used for suicide, since consuming even around four grams may lead to death.
The number of suicides caused by the material came to 33 in 2022, rising sharply from just three reported in 2018.
Once designated, those who sell such products online with the intention of instigating a suicide can be punished by up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won.
(Yonhap)
