Prime Minister Han Seung-soo emphasized on October 12 that "suicide is not just the responsibility of a specific department, but a problem that the entire government must address," calling for enhanced government-wide efforts in suicide prevention.
During the opening remarks at the 11th meeting of the Suicide Prevention Policy Committee held at the Government Seoul Complex, Han stated, "We will ensure that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility across all ministries, and that local governments, communities, and the private sector are closely connected."
Han noted, "The number of suicide deaths has shown a decreasing trend. From January to July this year, there were 1,043 fewer deaths compared to the same period last year," adding, "Saving the lives of over 1,000 citizens is a significant change."
He also highlighted the need to address various challenges that can lead to crises, including economic difficulties, social isolation, mental health issues, and burdens related to school, work, debt, and caregiving. He reiterated that the President has emphasized the importance of prioritizing issues that threaten the lives of citizens, including suicide.
However, he acknowledged that "despite this, our country's suicide rate remains the highest among OECD member countries," urging continued efforts to maintain the current downward trend and save more lives.
Emphasizing the role of local governments, Han promised to closely monitor their performance and to do his utmost to disseminate effective practices from the field. He also pledged to provide evaluations and financial support to local governments that continue to make excellent efforts.
During the meeting, the government appointed new private committee members and discussed the '6th Basic Plan for Suicide Prevention,' which summarizes past measures and future directions.
Previously, the government established a mid- to long-term framework through the '2025 National Suicide Prevention Strategy' in September of last year, followed by a series of measures targeting nine key areas contributing to suicide from June to September this year.
Based on this basic plan, the government plans to significantly strengthen its emergency response system for immediate intervention in crisis situations. Additionally, it aims to focus its efforts on addressing the fundamental life tragedies that drive individuals to suicide, such as debt, isolation, and caregiving burdens.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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