By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
The National Police Agency and other organizations will join forces to fight online cafes that are disseminating ``harmful information'' about suicide.
The NPA, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, and the Korean Association for Suicide Prevention will draw up and implement a set of measures to counter an increasing number of joint suicides, they said in a statement, Sunday.
Under the plan, 1,160 police officers will intensively monitor Web sites from Monday for two weeks targeting online cafes encouraging and helping people to commit suicide. Those who run ``harmful'' cafes including providing information about toxic chemicals and suicide methods will face legal action.
The move comes after 14 people have been found dead in six apparent group suicides, in vehicles or lodgings in Gangwon Province. They used briquettes to inhale toxic gases.
Police have apprehended three people on suspicions of running ``harmful'' cafes sharing and providing information about suicide.
Some 160 welfare centers will also provide counseling for those who write about suicide on the Internet and distribute posters and educational materials for suicide prevention.
The recent suicide incidents occurred after entertainers and celebrities ended their lives, some of whom also used coal briquettes.
``Along with government's efforts, what's important is portal sites' moves to clear up these harmful sites,'' said a police officer.
In the meantime, a 45-year-old man and 27-year-old woman attempted to kill themselves Saturday in a motel room in Suncheon, South Jeollan Province. The man died and the lady has been hospitalized in a serious condition. They allegedly got to know each other through an online suicide cafe and drank toxic chemicals.