Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

3 more dead in Gangwon suicide wave
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/04/18/200904180024.asp

Two men and one woman were found dead in a parked car in Inje, Gangwon Province, yesterday, after breathing in carbon monoxide in an apparent joint suicide, the police said.
It is the third of a series of joint suicide cases that have left 11 dead and one in coma for the last 10 days in the Gangwon area.

Two braziers and some briquettes were discovered at the scene. The engine was running and the windows sealed with tape, the police said.

A suicide note was found in the belongings of the dead woman, saying "I'm sorry to go first. I thought I could earn money after graduation. But it wasn't as easy as I thought."

Considering that they were living in three different provinces, the police are looking into the possibility that they had met through an online suicide website and planned the deaths.

Gangwon Province, a popular tourist spot for its scenic beauty, has been shocked by a series of joint suicide cases with three happening this month.

On Wednesday, five people, including two teenagers, made an apparent joint suicide bid via smoke inhalation at a pension in Hoengseong, which had left four dead and one in coma. Four people were also found dead at a lodge in Jeongseon last Wednesday.

They showed a broad age range from teenagers to those in their 40s and used similar methods, the police said.

"We have found many suicide cases are committed in Gangwon Province recently," said Kim Jeong-jin, professor of social welfare at Korea Nazarene University, who is also an advisory member for the Korea Association for Suicide Prevention.

"They might have thought people would have difficulty finding them in the mountainous area with a relatively small population," he said.

"In order to prevent more suicides from happening in the area and protect the local economy largely dependent on tourism, the local government should step up efforts to take countermeasures."

The police have increased patrols in the area recently and asked cooperation of local people, especially lodge owners, for its suicide prevention efforts.

By Lee Ji-yoon


([email protected])




2009.04.18

[wylies99]

[Joe666]

It did not mention if they were Koreans or foreigners. I am assuming they were Korean nationals! Regardless, I hate to hear that news. It really should not even be printed!!

[Bibbitybop]

The media is quick to point out if subjects or victims are foreigners.

[pidgin]

[Milwaukiedave]

It is very sad that people get that desperate that they think ending their life is the only way out. The economy right now is bad and college students all the way up to older adults are trying to figure out how to cope with the tough times. I have to wonder if the mental health system in Korea is capable of taking on the sheer number of people that need help right now. Times are bad and they are going to get worse.

[John_ESL_White]

less people is good!

[Ya-ta Boy]

[nuthatch]

interesting original post...

and yes, sad that people feel such desperation/pressure...

or else are alienated and influenced by media/copycat trends

[John_ESL_White]

[semi-fly]

[Leslie Cheswyck]

[the ireland]

I always found it funny (not in a ha ha way) that in some countries suicide was / is illegal and punishable by death

[John_ESL_White]

[Ya-ta Boy]