K-pop idol Moonbin’s death highlights need to address high suicide rate in Korea
The sudden death of K-pop boy band ASTRO member Moonbin, 25, highlights the need to address the high suicide rate in South Korea.
Based on 2021 data from the Korean Statistical Information Service, suicide rate in South Korea is 26 per 100,000 population.
Among Korean males, the suicide rate is 35.9 per 100,000 population, more than twice compared to 16.2 per 100,000 for women.
The suicide rate in South Korea is the highest among countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD
2020 data from OECD showed South Korea had a suicide rate of 24.1 per 100,000 population. Placing second is Lithuania with 20.3 per 100,000 followed by Slovenia with 15.7.
World Bank data showed South Korea had the fourth highest suicide mortality rate of 28.6 per 100,000 population in the world in 2019 after Lesotho, Guyana and Eswatini.
Moonbin was found dead in an apparent suicide at about 8:10 p.m. KST on April 19 at his home in Gangnam, Seoul. He was found by his manager who reported it to the police.
“It is believed that Moonbin took his own life. We are discussing conducting an autopsy to investigate the exact cause of death,” the Seoul Gangnam Police said, Korean media reported.