South Korean hospitals see 1 in 4 patient suicides turn fatal, lawmaker urges reform
Data shows over 100 patient suicides and self-harm cases each year in South Korean hospitals, with about a quarter resulting in death, prompting a lawmaker to demand stronger safety reporting.
According to figures. Han Zee-a of the People Power Party, the Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation logged 548 patient suicide and self-harm incidents across South Korean medical facilities between 2022 and May 2026, with yearly totals ranging from 110 to 153. A quarter of the incidents, 139, resulted in fatalities, while 29 were classified as severe and 97 as moderate. Patients aged 80 and older accounted for the largest share of cases.
Nursing hospitals, which provide long-term care, reported the most incidents (151), followed by tertiary general, general, and psychiatric hospitals. Most events occurred in patient rooms. Han criticized one outlet's reporting system for lacking risk-identification data and urged the government to approve additional staff for the institute, which will assume investigative duties next year.
Why it matters
The high fatality rate highlights urgent gaps in hospital suicide prevention and patient-safety reporting in South Korea.
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