Data released by South Korea's Ministry of Education on Sunday paints a grim picture, showing a sharp rise in student suicides across elementary, middle, and high schools. Last year, 244 young lives were lost, including 6 elementary school students, 92 middle schoolers, and 146 high school students. That is a staggering 65 percent jump compared to 2020, setting a new record since tracking began.
The crisis is hitting major cities hard. Seoul saw 51 student suicides last year, while Busan experienced an alarming surge, with numbers jumping from 7 the previous year to 22. Gyeonggi Province, despite its dense population, saw a slight decrease, dropping from 63 to 51 cases. Local media report that the drivers behind these tragedies are complex, ranging from family issues and mental health struggles to academic pressure, peer problems, and in many cases, no apparent reason at all.
Whether navigating the bustling streets of Phnom Penh or a cramped apartment in Seoul, parenting is never easy, and the burdens young people carry are heavier than ever. In response, the South Korean government rolled out a plan in June aiming to cut the youth suicide rate in half by 2035. However, lawmakers have pointed out that the Ministry of Education and schools need to move beyond lip service and genuinely put mental health counseling into practice.
