Unification Committee Urges Restraint in Using 'Extreme Choice'... "Not a Subject for Selection"

Seminar on Raising Awareness and Roles in Suicide Prevention in Our Society
New Platform Faces Restrictions on Reviewing Harmful Suicide Content

The 'Special Committee for Overcoming Suicide Crisis' under the Presidential Committee for National Unity stated on the 28th that "the social culture where suicide becomes an option and the social atmosphere where suicide becomes normalized are major problems," and suggested refraining from using the term "extreme choice."

The special committee held a seminar on the same day at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry titled "Improving Social Awareness and Roles for Suicide Prevention." According to the Committee for National Unity, this seminar was organized to bring together the Committee, related government departments, media, relevant organizations, and civic groups to find alternatives in response to the rapid increase in suicide-related information on platforms such as social networking services (SNS) and online video services (OTT).

The seminar was attended by Kim Han-gil, Chairperson of the Committee for National Unity; Han Ji-a, Chairperson of the Special Committee; Pyo Wan-soo, Chairman of the Korea Press Foundation; Choo Seung-ho, President of the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association; and Kang Myung-soo, Co-representative of the Suicide Bereaved Families Association.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Han-gil, Chairperson of the Committee for National Unity, said, "Suicide is no longer an individual's problem but the responsibility of all of us," adding, "Not only traditional media and broadcasting but also platform content must be included, and suicide prevention policies need a revolutionary shift to adapt to the recent new media environment."

Chairperson Han presented on "Improving Awareness of Suicide Prevention, which the Special Committee considers important," pointing out that "Indirect experiences through media can directly influence imitative suicides," and emphasized that "the social culture where suicide becomes an option and the social atmosphere where suicide becomes normalized are major problems."

Chairperson Han also stressed, "When new platforms emerge, the review of harmful suicide content is limited," and highlighted the need to "identify institutional blind spots and narrow the gap between rapidly changing realities and policies."

Special Committee member Yoo Hyun-jae, in a presentation titled "The Direction of Media to Expand the Base of Suicide Prevention Awareness," emphasized the need for "effective and realistic government regulatory measures in monitoring suicide-risk posts and videos."

In particular, regarding the term "extreme choice," which implies suicide, he urged restraint in its use, stating, "Suicide cannot be an object of choice." The term "choice" could place responsibility solely on the individual involved.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.