What is the reason for the increase in suicide among Korean soldiers?
South Korean media reported that in the first quarter of this year, a total of 15 soldiers committed suicide in the South Korean army, equivalent to three times the same period last year. The suicide rate of Korean soldiers has been declining year by year in recent years, and this year's trend has reversed, causing public doubts and concerns.
South Korea's Central Daily News reported on the 6th that five soldiers committed suicide in South Korea from June to March last year. However, it soared to 15 in the same period this year, among which 9 people committed suicide in March alone.
On March 27th, a South Korean naval commander was found to have committed suicide in his residence. On the same day, a South Korean army sergeant was found dead in an outdoor smoking area, and the forensic doctor identified it as suicide. On March 29th, a South Korean army first-class soldier tried to commit suicide in the military camp and was immediately taken to the hospital, but the rescue was ineffective.
It is worth noting that from 20 1 1 to 20 17, the suicide rate of Korean soldiers showed a downward trend year by year. For example, 20 1 1, the number of Korean soldiers committing suicide is 97; 20 13 years, 79 people; 2015,57 people; 2017,51person. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has not confirmed the reason for the increase in suicide rate this year.
Li Dongyu, a professor at Shangxibai Hospital in inje university, said: "People who are prone to depression are more anxious in spring. Others regard spring as the starting point to turn over a new page, but they feel at a loss. " However, he believes that seasonal factors may not explain the rising suicide rate of Korean soldiers.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has ordered all departments to strengthen suicide prevention education. In addition, the South Korean military is scheduled to hold a policy meeting in the near future to discuss how to deal with the rising suicide rate of military personnel. Although the total number of soldiers who committed suicide has decreased in recent years, the suicide rate of officers with ranks (including appointed and non-appointed officers) has remained stable.
The suicide rate of soldiers dropped from 45 in 20 13 to 17 last year. But in contrast, the number of suicides in 20 13 is 34, compared with 34 last year. In 20 15, 35 officers committed suicide, which was higher than the number of soldiers who committed suicide that year (22). Since then, more officers committed suicide than soldiers every year.
Why do Korean soldiers commit suicide?
In 20 14, there were many vicious incidents in which soldiers died, which exposed the bad atmosphere of bullying new recruits and abusing comrades in the army, and then the military began to rectify the atmosphere. Since 20 14, the Ministry of National Defense has been committed to reforming military culture to cope with two situations. A private first class named Yin was brutally abused to death by his comrades-in-arms, and a sergeant named Lin threw grenades at five comrades-in-arms and shot them. Since then, various departments have adopted various policies and measures to improve the environment and morale of the army, which have effectively reduced the suicide rate.
In April of 20 14, Yin Mou, a soldier of the 28th Division of the Army, was beaten by six officers and comrades-in-arms while eating, resulting in food blocking the trachea and death. In June of the same year, a soldier on duty at an army post in the eastern front line of Gaocheng County, gangwon, threw grenades and fired several shots, resulting in the death of five comrades-in-arms and many injuries. The investigation showed that the perpetrators were suspected of being bullied before they died.
20 14 On July 27th, two army soldiers were found hanging in their barracks. The next day, a naval soldier was found hanging himself on a warship. 20 17 In May, a female officer hanged herself on suspicion of being raped by a superior officer before her death, which aroused public outrage.
20 17 August, South Korean army general Park Canzhou exposed the "slave gate" scandal, and was accused of letting the orderly cut and peel the toenails of Park Canzhou's wife, wash clothes for his son, and mistreat him like a slave. South Korean media reported that similar incidents had a great impact on Korean society and even gave birth to social sentiment of refusing to perform military service.
According to the analysis of the Ministry of National Defense, overwork and the continuous reorganization of the army are the main reasons for officers' suicide, and mental illness is another main reason for officers' suicide.
Bai Mujie, a psychiatrist at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, said: "Many officers in the army often travel on business or are separated from their families in remote areas. A considerable number of patients drink alcohol because of loneliness and show a tendency to depression. "
He pointed out that even if these officers want psychological counseling, they "don't want to do it, because if someone knows, it will affect their promotion, so the atmosphere inside the army is also problematic."
Monday is the most common day of police suicide in a week. According to the analysis of the Ministry of National Defense, 23.6% of suicides occurred on Monday. "Military disciplinary committees are usually held on Fridays," military sources said. "It is worth noting that in some cases, police officers who were disciplined on Friday felt depressed on weekends and tried to commit suicide on Monday."