South Korea establishes National Suicide Response Center to aid high‑risk individuals

The South Korean government announced the creation of a National Suicide Response Center, a joint effort by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, police and fire services. Two pilot centers will be set up in the capital region and the central region, offering 24‑hour temporary protection services for suicide attempt survivors and coordinated follow‑up care.

Mental‑emergency care will be designated as essential medical service, with an increase in staffed counseling lines (109 hotline staff to rise from 103 to about 200) and the use of AI to flag at‑risk online searches. Safety upgrades are planned for high‑risk locations such as rooftops, bridges and train platforms, including automatic opening mechanisms and barrier enhancements. The program aims to reduce the nation’s high suicide rate, which remains the highest among major economies.