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In search of to deal with Korea’s persistently excessive suicide price, the federal government and several other main spiritual organizations on Monday signed an settlement relating to respect for all times and suicide prevention, vowing to coordinate efforts to supply hope, compassion and help for folks in despair.
The settlement got here as Prime Minister Kim Min-seok convened the primary authorities–spiritual group roundtable at his residence in Seoul, bringing collectively representatives from varied religion teams, together with the United Christian Church buildings of Korea, the Korean Catholic Bishops’ Convention, the Central Headquarters of Gained-Buddhism, and the Jogye Order.
Kim underscored the importance of the occasion as a primary step towards establishing a daily, sustainable framework for cooperation between the federal government and non secular leaders on main social points. The initiative begins with suicide prevention as the primary merchandise on the group’s shared agenda.
Korea’s long-running public well being disaster worsened final 12 months.
In line with Statistics Korea’s 2024 report on causes of dying, 14,872 folks died by suicide in 2023, a 6.4 % improve from the earlier 12 months. The nationwide suicide price rose to 29.1 per 100,000 — the best since 2011 — which means that greater than 40 folks took their very own lives every day. Charges had been highest amongst folks of their 30s, adopted by these of their 40s and 50s.
The figures underscore Korea’s outlier standing amongst industrialized nations. The nation’s age-standardized suicide price is 26.2 per 100,000 folks, greater than two and a half occasions the OECD common of 10.8. A latest OECD report, Well being at a Look 2025, reaffirmed that place, putting Korea on the high of the rankings with a comparable price of 23.2 per 100,000, in comparison with the OECD common of 10.7.
In his opening remarks, the prime minister emphasised that suicide just isn’t solely a person drawback however a structural one which society should handle collectively. He highlighted the pivotal function religion communities can play in tackling these pressing challenges.
“Spiritual leaders are sometimes the primary to increase a hand to these in folks’s darkest moments. I hope this settlement will transfer past symbolism to genuinely scale back suicide charges and unfold hope throughout the nation,” Kim stated.
Spiritual leaders expressed robust help for the initiative.
Pastor Kim Jong-hyeok, president of the United Christian Church buildings of Korea, stated, “Defending and preserving life is a core concern that the federal government should make its utmost effort to deal with,” including, “We’ll do our perfect to actively cooperate on this job.”
Bishop Lee Yong-hoon, chairman of the Korean Catholic Bishops’ Convention, stated, “As with all religions, putting life as the best precedence and appearing accordingly is just pure,” and added, “Via this settlement, I hope our nation will turn into a mentally, morally and ethically wholesome society, and the Catholic Church will actively take part within the motion.”
Na Sang-ho, director-general of Central Headquarters of Gained-Buddhism, emphasised, “Respect for all times is crucial path,” pledging, “Ultimately, the function that faith can play is that of an embracing and unconditional mom.”
Ven. Seong-ung, director of Common Affairs for the Jogye Order, additionally promised, “Our order will take duty for suicide prevention and dedicate its efforts to actually stopping it.”
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