South Korea maintains a positive global reputation through K-pop, its film industry, the beauty business, and global companies like Samsung. Yet beneath this facade lies a mental health crisis marked by mental illness and suicide.

In 2022, the number of suicides in South Korea reached 12,906 (25.2 per 100,000 people), the highest rate among OECD countries. This equates to an average of 35.4 suicides per day, meaning that every two hours, three people take their own lives. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among teenagers in Korea. Although early detection of psychological issues is crucial for preventing suicide, institutional support and family involvement remain insufficient and ineffective.

The suicide rate for males (35.3 per 100,000 population) was 2.3 times higher than that for females (15.1 per 100,000 population). Compared to the previous year, the suicide rate decreased for both males (-1.7%) and females (-6.4%). By age group, the suicide rate increased for those in their 40s (2.5%) and teenagers (0.6%), while it decreased for those in their 70s (-9.6%), 20s (-9.2%), 30s (-7.2%), 60s (-4.7%), 50s (-3.6%), and those aged 80 and above (-1.1%).

Suicide is no longer just a concern for teenagers. As South Korea transitions into a “super-aged society,” annual death rates are rising. The increase in single-person households, coupled with high levels of elderly poverty, has escalated into a national, societal, and personal crisis. The growth of individualism, family breakdowns due to divorce, and the erosion of the traditional “정” culture further contribute to a societal environment where solitary deaths and extreme decisions are becoming more commonplace.

The number of single-person households, which was recorded at 5.8 million in 2018, is expected to rise to 8.1 million by 2045. By 2025, South Korea will officially enter a super-aged society, where one in five people will be over the age of 65. South Korea not only has the fastest aging rate among OECD countries but also the highest elderly poverty rate. At 46.7%, this rate is more than three times the OECD average, meaning that nearly half of the elderly population in South Korea lives in poverty.

A survey conducted by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea found that poverty is the most significant challenge for the elderly, based on responses from 1,000 individuals aged 65 or over. This vicious cycle of poverty has led one in four elderly people in South Korea to consider suicide, while 23.6% worry about solitary death.