An unidentified man in his 70s was found dead on the grounds of the Daegu District Court Gimcheon Branch in Samnak-dong, Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, at approximately 1:43 p.m. local time on Feb. 19, according to local police and fire authorities. A handwritten memo was discovered near the body.
Police Investigation at the Gimcheon Branch Tennis Court
Emergency responders and officers from the Gimcheon Police Station arrived at the scene following reports that a body had been located near the tennis courts within the Gimcheon Branch compound. Local authorities stated that the deceased individual is believed to be a resident of the Gimcheon area. Investigators are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the death and examining the contents of the memo found at the site. The exact timeline of when the man entered the court area and how the initial report was logged remain under review by law enforcement.
Unconfirmed Connection to Court Proceedings
Police officials noted that preliminary database checks showed no record of the man having any past litigation files at the Gimcheon Branch. Representatives from the Gimcheon Police Station informed news outlets that investigators have found no factual basis linking the incident to any judicial rulings or court trials involving the individual. Further inquiries are underway to determine why the resident was present on the judiciary grounds.
National Suicide Statistics and OECD Rankings
According to the cause-of-death statistics released by the National Statistics Office, the national suicide count dropped by 728 deaths, or 4.9 percent, to 14,144 individuals last year, resulting in a suicide rate of 27.8 per 100,000 population—marking a decrease for the first time in three years. Despite the decline across most age demographics, rates among teenagers increased by 7.5 percent to 8.6 per 100,000. On an international scale, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development figures place South Korea’s adjusted rate at 24.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, remaining the highest among member nations.
Available 24-Hour Crisis Support Services
Government agencies operate designated support channels for individuals experiencing severe emotional distress. The government operates the integrated 24-hour crisis helpline at 109, connecting callers with professional counselors and regional mental health welfare centers. Digital assistance is also accessible through the Madlan text counseling service online. Officials encourage individuals facing overwhelming personal challenges to utilize these confidential resources.
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