Student suicides in Korea rise 26% in three years

What happened: Education Ministry data disclosed by Rep. Suh Bum-soo showed student suicides in Korea rose 25.8 percent between 2022 and 2025, with 112 deaths recorded in the first half of 2026. Key numbers: Why it matters: Suh called the ministry's inability to say whether schools where deaths occurred had counseling teachers a dereliction of duty, and urged stronger analysis, more counseling personnel and better systems to identify at-risk students. If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, dial the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 109, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Education Ministry data disclosed by Rep. Suh Bum-soo showed student suicides in Korea rose 25.8 percent between 2022 and 2025, with 112 deaths recorded in the first half of 2026.

Suh called the ministry's inability to say whether schools where deaths occurred had counseling teachers a dereliction of duty, and urged stronger analysis, more counseling personnel and better systems to identify at-risk students. If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, dial the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 109, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.