Prime Minister Kim: "Suicide Is a Structural Social Issue... Joining Forces with Religious Communities for Solutions"

Government and Religious Communities Hold Win-Win Cooperation Roundtable Meeting

The government has decided to join forces with religious communities to address various social issues, including the country’s high suicide rate.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok is attending the signing ceremony held on the 24th at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the 1st Government-Religious Community Win-Win Cooperation Roundtable Meeting. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 24th, Prime Minister Kim Minseok held the 1st Government-Religious Community Win-Win Cooperation Roundtable Meeting at the Prime Minister's official residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and signed the "Agreement on Respect for Life and Suicide Prevention." Attendees included Kim Jonghyuk, President of the Korean Christian Federation, Lee Yonghun, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Na Sangho, Head of the Won-Buddhism Administration, and Monk Seongwoong, Director of the Jogye Order’s General Affairs Office.

The government plans to continue holding meetings with religious communities to address a range of social issues, starting with suicide prevention. Prime Minister Kim stated, "We are in the unfortunate position of having the highest suicide rate among OECD countries," and emphasized, "Suicide is not just an individual problem, but a structural issue that our entire society must work to resolve."

Prime Minister Kim also said, "(Today’s agreement) is a promise for the government and religious communities to work together more closely," adding, "The government will ensure communication, discussion, and the establishment of a sustainable consultative body." He continued, "I hope today’s agreement will go beyond a mere declaration and become a practical step toward saving lives, lowering the suicide rate, and offering hope to every single citizen."

The religious community expressed its commitment to cooperation. President Kim said, "Protecting and preserving life is a core issue that the government must prioritize," and pledged, "We will do our utmost and actively cooperate." Head Na stated, "Respect for life is the most important path," and stressed, "Ultimately, the role that religion can play is that of an unconditionally embracing mother."

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