Elementary Student's Extreme Choice on Apartment Rooftop... Bereaved Family Claims "Bullying"

A tragic incident occurred in Incheon where an elementary school student fell from the rooftop of an apartment building and died. The police have launched an investigation to verify the facts following the bereaved family's claim that the student was a victim of school violence.

According to the police on the 17th, at around 3:10 PM the previous day, a 12-year-old sixth-grade student, A (female), was found collapsed on the first-floor ground of a 15-story apartment building in Dong-gu, Incheon. Neighbors reported hearing a "thud" and called 112, and although A was transported to the hospital by the 119 emergency medical team, she passed away.

After reviewing CCTV footage inside the apartment complex, the police estimated that A went up to the rooftop alone and took her own life. No suicide note was found at A’s home or on the apartment rooftop.

However, during the police investigation, A’s family claimed that "our daughter was bullied at school before her death" and that she was "ostracized by her friends." So far, the police have found no reports or counseling records related to school violence involving A.

She was also classified as "normal" rather than "at-risk" in emotional counseling and assessments conducted separately by the school. It is also known that she attended school and participated in classes normally on the day before her death.

A police official stated, "We have requested an autopsy from the National Forensic Service to determine the cause of A’s death," and added, "We plan to investigate the school to verify whether A was indeed a victim of school violence as claimed by the family."

An ambulance is standing by near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the match between Korea and Ghana in the 2022 Qatar World Cup was held on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

※ If you or someone around you is struggling with difficult feelings such as depression, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎1393, Mental Health Counseling ☎1577-0199, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, Youth Hotline ☎1388, the youth mobile counseling app 'Da Deureojul Gae,' KakaoTalk, and other channels.