Nearly 40,000 Koreans die by suicide over past 3 years - Data

SEOUL: A total of 39,453 South Koreans took their own lives from 2020 to 2022, with the suicide rate increasing among the younger generation, according to data from the Health Ministry and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

The data, which was submitted to Rep. Baek Jong-hean of the ruling People Power Party on Wednesday, indicated that the tally was greater than the 32,156 COVID-19 deaths recorded over the same period.

The suicide rate has slightly decreased over the past five years to 25.2 people per 100,000 in 2022, but the suicide rate among teenagers and those in their 20s has been showing an upward trend, reported Yonhap news agency.

The teenage suicide rate rose from 5.8 per 100,000 individuals in 2018 to 7.2 in 2022, while the rate for those in their 20s rose from 17.6 to 21.4 over the same period.

The number of suicide attempts also increased.

Last year, 36,754 people visited an emergency room after hurting themselves or trying to take their own lives, up 68 per cent from 21,875 in 2012.

"The government should declare suicide as a national disaster and put in all-out efforts to fight it," Baek said.

-- BERNAMA

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