By Yoon Ja-young
Staff Reporter
Korea has started an anti-suicide campaign to erase the notorious global stigma of having the highest rate of suicide in the world.
Renowned psychiatrist Lee Si-hyung is leading a public foundation aimed at promoting the campaign.
Over the next two decades, the foundation set up by nine life insurers, will raise 1.5 trillion won for social contribution programs including fight against suicide.
``Korea recorded the highest level of suicide among the OECD member countries. We picked an anti-suicide campaign as our first project to help people cherish the value of life,'' said Lee Si-hyung, chairman of the foundation.
Funded by the life insurers ― eight local firms plus Prudential Life Insurance, the foundation started social contribution programs after getting approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare in December. The foundation's official English name hasn't been decided yet.
On top of the anti-suicide campaigns, the fund will dedicate itself to supporting patients suffering from rare and hard to cure diseases, helping people injured in acts of bravery, assisting low-income senior citizens suffering from dementia, and helping in the treatment and rehabilitation of premature infants.
According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), 10,688 people killed themselves in 2006, which means 23 in every 100,000 committed suicide. The ratio is 8.9 more people than a decade ago. Lee said the number of those who try to kill themselves is about 20 times larger than those who succeed. Suicide is the fifth major cause of death in Korea, following cancer, cardiovascular disease, heart disease and diabetes.
Lee cited a research, according to which suicide costs 3.1 trillion won in socio economic loss each year. ``On top of the desire to eat and sexual desire, people have the desire to be in a group. Koreans have a strong desire to be in groups, but rapid changes in the society are isolating people,'' added Lee.
The foundation allocated 1 billion won to the anti-suicide campaign this year. Individuals and organizations dedicated to research on suicide, the anti-suicide campaign and helping people with the propensity to commit suicide can apply for funding.
Each insurer contributes different amounts of money to the foundation, depending on their net profit, solvency ratio and other factors. Samsung Life Insurance and Kyobo Life Insurance provide 80 to 90 percent of the funding currently, according to the foundation.