[2021 National Audit] Student and Youth Suicides: Police Agency Statistics 1.6 Times Higher Than Ministry of Education's

Status Over 5 Years: Ministry of Education 654, National Police Agency 1059
Ministry of Education Reports 0 Suicides Due to 'Violence and Bullying'
National Police Agency Data Shows 50 Suicides from School Violence Last Year
No Revisions or Supplements Since Student Suicide Report Submission

Comparison of Student and Youth Suicide Statistics Over the Past 5 Years by the Ministry of Education and the National Police Agency (Data from Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook's Office)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] It has been revealed that the statistical figures on school-age youth suicides held by the Ministry of Education and the National Police Agency differ by as much as 1.6 times.

At the Ministry of Education's national audit on the 1st, Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook of the National Assembly's Education Committee stated, according to the student and youth suicide data respectively submitted by the Ministry of Education and the National Police Agency, over the past five years, the Ministry of Education's tally was 654, while the Police Agency's tally was 1,059, showing that the Police Agency's statistics were 1.6 times higher.

The suicide data compiled by the Ministry of Education is based on the 'Student Suicide Death Report' submitted by schools. The Police Agency's data is based on the cause of death statistics from Statistics Korea and refers to cases of unnatural death confirmed to be caused by 'intentional self-harm (suicide)'.

Suicide Status by Estimated Cause According to the Ministry of Education (Data=Office of Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook)

There was also a significant difference between the Ministry of Education and the Police Agency data regarding suicide causes. Despite multiple media reports on suicides caused by school violence, the Ministry of Education's data showed zero cases of suicide due to 'violence or group bullying' for five consecutive years, while 'unknown causes' accounted for more than one-third.

On the other hand, the Police Agency classifies suicides caused by school violence and others under the 'Other' category. Following 'psychiatric issues' and 'family problems,' the 'Other' category had a large proportion. Since 2018, the 'Other' category has increased to over 40 cases, reaching 50 cases last year.

The stark difference between the Ministry of Education's data and that of the Police Agency and others has been pointed out as stemming from the Ministry of Education's suicide reporting procedures. When a student suicide occurs, a 'Student Suicide Death Report' is usually submitted to the Ministry of Education via the Office of Education within one week; however, any suicide causes revealed afterward are not revised or supplemented.

Therefore, there are calls to establish accurate suicide statistics and formulate suicide prevention policies through inter-agency cooperation.

Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook stated, "Even considering that the Police Agency's data includes out-of-school youth, the overall statistics differing by 1.6 times indicates significant omissions in the Ministry of Education's data," and added, "Due to the urgency of suicide cases, reports need to be submitted within seven days, but since school violence review committees or investigations may follow depending on the case, there is a need for procedures to revise and supplement the reports accordingly."

Assemblywoman Kwon urged, "Accurate statistics are the foundation for policy-making, and the fact that even inter-agency statistics are not consolidated indicates that the government and education authorities are taking a superficial approach to the suicide issue," emphasizing, "Relevant ministries must work closely together to establish accurate statistics and develop preventive measures."