South Korean suicide prevention policy expansion

South Korean authorities are implementing new measures to strengthen the nation’s suicide prevention infrastructure. Initially, the government announced that the 109 suicide prevention hotline would be designated as an emergency communication service. This change allows individuals to access the hotline even if their mobile service has been suspended due to unpaid bills. Additionally, mobile manufacturers will include 109 on emergency call lists to allow access from locked screens, supported by public awareness campaigns involving private companies.

Following these technical accessibility improvements, the Ministry of Health and Welfare unveiled the ‘6th Basic Plan for Suicide Prevention (2026–2030)’. This long-term strategy aims to reduce the suicide rate to 18.9 per 100,000 people by 2030. The plan shifts toward a proactive model that uses AI to detect crisis groups and addresses socio-economic drivers like poverty and debt. It also expands referral networks to include mental health and emergency medical institutions and removes income limits for treatment support. In recognition of these efforts, Korea University Ansan Hospital was commended for its long-term management of suicide attempt survivors.