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Korean government reveals ‘suicidal Profile’

April 2, 2014

By Ko Dong-hwan

The Korean government’s recent national survey extracted particular traits of those committing suicide; they were men who divorced and had low level of education and income, mental distress and high dependence on alcohol.

According to an analysis conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, men committed twice the rate of suicides than women.

The proclivity also inclined toward those who are older and divorced. Divorced men and women respectively had 2.1 and 2.5 times the rate of suicides than those married.

The study was first to be conducted nationwide by the government on the issue, which puts the nation on the global top by statistics.

It was based on 8,305 suicide deaths referenced in health insurance medical treatment records from 1992 to 2011.

Prof. Ahn Yong-min from Seoul National University’s College of Medicine who led the analysis said those with high probability of taking suicide are men in mid and senior ages and women in young ages.

He added while men often opt for suicide out of unbearable environmental oppressions like social, economical troubles and illnesses, women often impulsively commit suicide because of troubled human interaction.

The study also analyzed 8,848 from 2007 to 2011 who used to be hospitalized after failing to commit suicide. It found that 44 percent of those committed suicide in the state of alcohol intoxication.

It also found a psychological pattern that those who once attempted suicide often proceed with seconds, among which 236 died by the end of 2012.

The study said out of 100,000 with excessive drinking habits, 700 kill themselves every year. It is 25 times the rate of non-drinkers.