2 Koreans commit suicide on same day, highlighting mental health concerns

Two Koreans have been found dead in the Los Angeles County area within a day. The incidents underscore the critical need to address mental health concerns within the Korean community, as the suicide rate for Koreans in the Los Angeles area is notably high compared to other Asian groups.

The L.A. County Coroner’s Office reported that a 58-year-old Korean American surnamed Kim was discovered hanged in his apartment on South Oxford Avenue on February 29.  Upon being asked about the death, an LAPD spokesperson told the Korea Daily on March 4, “We received a report around 2 p.m. on February 29.”

On February 29, a Korean-American woman in her 40s surnamed Lee was found dead in her home in the Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood. “She hanged herself,” stated an official from the coroner’s office.

An acquaintance of Lee spoke to the Korea Daily on March 4, sharing, “(Lee) was a well-known figure in the Rancho Palos Verdes community, with extensive connections in the insurance industry.” They added, “Lee’s family discovered her when they returned home on February 29. It was a shock to everyone as she was known to be cheerful and sociable.”

This year, these incidents mark the third report of suicide among Koreans in LA. Previously, on February 4, Sungho Kim, 49, was found deceased after jumping onto railroad tracks near the crossing at South Myrtle Avenue and Railroad Avenue in Monrovia.

A joint report by the Korea Daily and USC highlighted the concerning trend of suicides among Koreans. Data from the CDC and the California Department of Public Health indicate that the suicide rate among Koreans in California was 12.4 per 100,000 people in 2022, higher than the average for all Asians at 6.8.

The trend is consistent in Los Angeles County, home to a substantial Korean community. Here, the suicide rate for Koreans is 12.3 per 100,000, significantly exceeding the county’s average for Asians at 6.3.

Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of seeking help for those struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts. Dr. Jasung Kim, a Los Angeles psychiatrist, advises, “Reaching out to a professional and talking about your challenges is a crucial step toward improvement.”

BY KYEONGJUN KIM, JUNHAN PARK    [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]

• If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, call helplines: Hotline 988 Chat: https://988lifeline.org, LA County Department of Mental Health Hotline: 800-854-7771 (Option 6 for Korean), Koreatown Mental Health Center: 213-948-2980, or YouStar Foundation: https://youstarfoundation.org.