Introduction: A Growing Crisis Among Korean Youth
South Korea, renowned for its economic dynamism and cultural influence, faces a sobering public health emergency: suicide is the leading cause of death among its young people. Recent tragedies, such as the deaths of three high school students in Busan, have reignited national concern and prompted calls for stronger support systems and more effective suicide prevention education. Despite years of government initiatives, the suicide rate among Korean teenagers continues to rise, bucking global trends and highlighting deep-rooted societal challenges.
Understanding the Numbers: Trends and Demographics
South Korea has consistently reported the highest suicide rate among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. In 2023, the overall suicide rate stood at 25.2 per 100,000 people—more than double the OECD average. For teenagers, the situation is particularly dire: suicide rates among those aged 9 to 24 reached 10.8 per 100,000, making it the leading cause of death in this age group, far surpassing accidents and cancer.
While suicide rates among older adults have declined in recent years, the rate among teenagers and young adults has increased. According to Statistics Korea, the suicide rate for teenagers rose from 5.5 per 100,000 in 2011 to 7.9 in 2023. Notably, the suicide rate for adolescent girls aged 10-14 nearly tripled between 2017 and 2022. These figures are alarming, especially when compared to global trends, which have generally seen youth suicide rates decrease.
Gender differences are also evident. While more male students die by suicide, female students report higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. Socioeconomic status, family structure, and urbanization further influence risk, with students from lower-income households and those experiencing social isolation at greater risk.
Root Causes: Academic Pressure, Social Isolation, and Stigma
Experts and research consistently point to a combination of academic stress, societal pressure, and stigma surrounding mental health as primary drivers of youth suicide in South Korea.
The Burden of Academic Competition
South Korea’s education system is famously competitive. Students face immense pressure to excel academically, with college entrance exams seen as life-defining events. Many children attend after-school “cram schools” from a young age, leaving little time for rest or socialization. This relentless focus on achievement can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
As one youth peer specialist recounted, a single poor grade and public shaming by a teacher led a friend to attempt suicide. Such stories are not uncommon, and academic stress is frequently cited in suicide notes and surveys as a leading cause of distress among teenagers.
Social Isolation and the Erosion of Support Networks
Traditional support structures, such as extended families and close-knit neighborhoods, have weakened amid rapid economic and social change. Nearly 20% of Koreans report having no one to turn to during difficult times—a stark indicator of low social cohesion. For young people, this isolation is compounded by the stigma attached to discussing mental health or seeking help.
Social media, while offering new avenues for connection, can also amplify feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. Exposure to suicide-related content online, including celebrity suicides and so-called “suicide landmarks,” has been linked to copycat behaviors and increased risk among vulnerable youth.
The Stigma of Mental Illness
Mental health remains a taboo subject in South Korea. Admitting to depression or suicidal thoughts is often seen as a personal weakness or failure, discouraging many from seeking support. The country’s rate of antidepressant prescriptions is among the lowest in the OECD, despite high rates of reported depression. This gap between need and access to care is a critical barrier to prevention.
Recent Tragedies and the “Suicide Landmark” Phenomenon
The deaths of three high school students in Busan in June 2023, who cited academic stress in their notes, brought renewed attention to the issue. In Seoul’s Gangnam district, authorities have reported teenagers visiting high-rise buildings rumored to be “suicide landmarks,” sometimes out of curiosity or in search of a perceived “easy exit.” The phenomenon has been fueled by social media and past incidents, such as a teenager livestreaming her suicide in 2023.
Officials and building managers have observed a troubling trend: teenagers visiting rooftops to “see what it would feel like” before jumping. Mental health professionals warn that suicide is increasingly being portrayed as a legitimate solution to problems, rather than an act of despair.
Government Response: Policies, Education, and Prevention Efforts
Recognizing the gravity of the crisis, the South Korean government has enacted a series of policies aimed at reducing suicide rates. The Suicide Prevention Act, first passed in 2011 and recently amended, mandates annual suicide prevention education for all students in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as employees at public institutions and hospitals. The goal is to lower the national suicide rate to the OECD average within the next decade.
The education program includes two main components: raising awareness about the nature of suicide and mental health, and providing practical guidance on recognizing warning signs and supporting those at risk. Schools are encouraged to establish on-campus counseling centers and offer training sessions to help students manage academic stress and build emotional resilience.
In addition to education, the government has introduced measures such as:
- Shortening the interval between recommended mental health check-ups from ten to two years for young adults, using standardized screening tools.
- Expanding access to psychological counseling, with a target of reaching one million people by 2027.
- Implementing region-specific suicide prevention programs and technological interventions, such as AI-powered surveillance on bridges to detect and prevent suicide attempts.
Local governments and nonprofits also play a role, with peer support networks like Mental Health Korea connecting at-risk youth to resources and fostering a culture of openness around mental health.
Challenges and Criticisms: Gaps in Data, Funding, and Implementation
Despite these efforts, experts and frontline workers argue that current policies remain insufficient. A major challenge is the lack of timely, detailed data on suicide trends. Local prevention centers often cannot access up-to-date information from central government agencies, hampering their ability to tailor interventions to community needs. Annual reports are often outdated by the time they are released, and psychological autopsy findings—critical for understanding individual cases—are not widely shared.
Funding is another persistent issue. Prevention centers are frequently understaffed and under-resourced, with budgets far below what is needed to provide comprehensive support. For example, a center serving over a million residents may receive less than $600,000 annually, compared to much higher per-capita spending in countries like Japan or Australia.
Implementation of mandated education and follow-up services is often superficial. Online modules may fulfill legal requirements but lack depth, and consent for follow-up after suicide attempts is typically solicited via text message, resulting in low engagement. The stigma surrounding suicide and mental health also extends to government agencies, where internal discussion and scrutiny of suicide prevention projects are limited.
Societal and Cultural Factors: The Pressure to Succeed
The roots of South Korea’s suicide crisis run deep. Rapid economic development has brought prosperity but also intensified competition and individualization. Success is often measured by academic and professional achievement, and failure to meet these expectations can lead to profound shame and hopelessness.
For young people, the pressure begins early. Parents invest heavily in their children’s education, and societal norms equate good grades with future security. The result is a generation that is highly educated but often deeply unhappy, with little time for leisure or self-care.
Gender roles and beauty standards add further strain, particularly for young women, who face intense pressure to conform to unrealistic ideals. Men, meanwhile, are expected to be providers, and financial difficulties are a leading cause of suicidal ideation among males.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Economic Uncertainty
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges among adolescents, reversing a pre-pandemic decline in negative mental health indicators. Social isolation, economic uncertainty, and disruptions to daily life have increased stress, sadness, and suicidal ideation, especially among students from lower-income households. Parental psychological distress and poor family functioning further contribute to risk.
Research highlights the need for targeted interventions that address both socioeconomic and behavioral factors, promote early identification of at-risk youth, and encourage physical activity and social interaction to counteract isolation.
What Works: Effective Interventions and the Path Forward
International comparisons suggest that coordinated, well-funded national strategies can reduce suicide rates. Countries like Australia, Finland, and Japan have seen success with comprehensive approaches that integrate schools, healthcare, social services, and community organizations. Key elements include:
- Gatekeeper training for teachers, parents, and peers to recognize and respond to warning signs.
- Accessible mental health services, including counseling and crisis intervention.
- Efforts to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behaviors.
- Data-driven policy making, with real-time access to local trends and risk factors.
- Support for families and survivors, recognizing the broader impact of suicide on communities.
In South Korea, peer support networks and youth-led initiatives are emerging as vital complements to official programs. Organizations like Mental Health Korea empower young people to support one another, advocate for policy change, and break the silence around mental health.
In Summary
- South Korea faces a youth suicide crisis, with rates rising despite government efforts.
- Academic pressure, social isolation, and stigma are key drivers of suicidal behavior among teenagers.
- Recent policy changes mandate annual suicide prevention education and expand access to mental health services, but challenges remain in funding, data access, and implementation.
- Societal factors, including intense competition and weakened support networks, contribute to the problem.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened mental health outcomes, especially for low-income students.
- Effective prevention requires coordinated, well-resourced strategies, reduced stigma, and community engagement.
- Peer support and youth-led initiatives offer hope for a more compassionate and responsive approach to mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In South Korea, the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 109 is available 24/7, with English-language services upon request. Reaching out can save lives.
