President Lee Jae-myung Appeals to South Koreans: Don't End Lives Amidst Market Woes

South Korea's President, Lee Jae-myung, recently used the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to passionately appeal to his country's citizens, urging them not to commit su*cide in the face of a challenging market crash. The President's message followed a tweet that highlighted the alarming rate of self-inflicted deaths, to which he added, "We must live. You have to live somehow. If it's hard, please call 109. In fact, Gil will help you find reasons to live together."

President Lee Jae-myung further addressed these critical concerns during a cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on October 13. Speaking on the rising rates of su*cide among young people, he stressed the need for intensified efforts "unlike anything we have seen before." He emphasized, "We must seek strong, new measures to address academic stress, excessive competition, and bullying."

During the same cabinet meeting, President Lee acknowledged some positive developments, noting, "I understand that people taking their lives decreased by more than 10% in the first half of this year, and in particular, those who took their own lives for economic reasons fell by nearly half. This is truly praiseworthy." However, he highlighted a concerning trend: while the overall su*cide rate is "declining overall," the rate among youths "is said to have actually increased slightly."

The President attributed some of these issues to societal pressures, stating, "Excessive competition in our society is a source of national competitiveness, but there may have been a lack of attention to relational issues within it." He also pointed out the importance of fostering stronger "interaction, communication, and emotional connection in schools." Furthermore, he expressed concern over the deteriorating relationships between teachers and students, noting a tendency for teachers to avoid intervention due to parental complaints about discipline. Lee Jae-myung insisted this situation "is also not something to be left unattended," advocating for a "fundamental and structural approach" rather than merely maintaining current strategies.

He repeatedly called for a significant shift in policy direction, asserting, "If we have so far copied what exists in other countries or made minor adjustments to existing policies, we now need to drastically change our direction." The President also articulated his commitment to bolstering "inclusive finance." He commended the Financial Services Commission for its "unprecedentedly well" work in extensive debt write-offs and extinguishing delinquent claims but felt it was "still far from enough." Lee Jae-myung also highlighted the need to investigate private moneylenders and debt collection agencies that often harass borrowers. He concluded by suggesting initiatives like 'national jobs' to provide opportunities for credit delinquents, enabling them to sustain their daily lives and find employment.