Ban Charcoal Briquettes to Prevent Suicide...Public Backlash Over Premature Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The government is facing public backlash after proposing measures against suicide involving the regulation of beongaetan (charcoal briquettes) as part of its suicide prevention strategy.

The controversy began at a public hearing held on the 13th by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to prepare the "5th Basic Suicide Prevention Plan (2023?2027)." At the hearing, the ministry announced plans to ban the production of beongaetan containing oxidizing ignition agents and to continue developing and distributing eco-friendly alternatives. This sparked criticism on social media and online communities questioning whether banning beongaetan would fundamentally prevent suicides. In response to the growing controversy, the ministry clarified that the ban refers specifically to beongaetan containing oxidizing ignition agents, not a complete production halt of all beongaetan.

The ban on beongaetan containing oxidizing ignition agents was scheduled to be implemented next year following a 2019 revision of the Forest Service notification. A grace period was provided to allow time for the development of eco-friendly alternatives and to protect small-scale producers. Cases of suicide by gas poisoning using beongaetan increased by 51.3% over ten years, from 1,165 in 2011 to 1,763 in 2021, accounting for 15% of annual suicide statistics.

Highly toxic pesticides such as Gramoxone ceased production in 2012, resulting in suicide cases related to these substances dropping to less than half over ten years. The government expected that banning the production and purchase of beongaetan products would contribute to reducing the suicide rate. However, some point out that due to slow progress in developing alternatives, it will be difficult to immediately halt production and ban the purchase of beongaetan containing oxidizing ignition agents starting next year. Currently, beongaetan has been included in the 2020 suicide attempt notification, and distribution for suicide purposes online is subject to criminal penalties, while purchasers are managed through emergency rescue measures. A government official stated, "The proposal presented at the public hearing is not yet finalized and may be revised after gathering expert opinions."

Meanwhile, the government plans to hold a joint suicide prevention policy working committee meeting with related ministries early next month, followed by a review by the Suicide Prevention Policy Committee chaired by the Prime Minister to finalize the 5th Basic Suicide Prevention Plan.