Seoul has implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance system on bridges spanning the Han River to aid in suicide prevention efforts in a country grappling with one of the world’s highest suicide rates. The technology, operational since 2021, monitors activity on 17 bridges equipped with nearly 900 cameras and specialized suicide-prevention phones. When the AI detects unusual behavior—such as someone lingering in precarious areas or engaging with prevention devices—it promptly alerts first responders to intervene.
Kim Jun-young, chief of the Hangang Bridge CCTV Integrated Control Center, stated that the system has dramatically improved the rescue rate over the Han River, rising from 56 percent in 2012 to over 99 percent today. Emergency teams can generally arrive at the scene within five minutes, which is considered a critical period for successful intervention. Kim emphasized the system’s purpose as providing vulnerable individuals with "one more chance to think it over," citing the severe physical risks of jumping from the roughly 30-meter-high bridges, where impact is comparable to a car crash at 60 kilometers per hour.
Despite these advances, South Korea continues to face a serious suicide crisis. The nation's suicide rate in 2024 has surged above 29 deaths per 100,000 people, the highest level since 2011, making suicide the leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 49. President Lee Jae Myung has described the situation as "a disgrace on the world stage." Experts attribute the crisis to intense academic pressure, demanding work environments, and a societal culture that stigmatizes failure, leaving many individuals without adequate coping mechanisms or support.
Yoo Jae-hyun, director of suicide prevention at Seoul St Mary’s Hospital, noted that many people who attempt suicide express feelings of being a burden to others and a belief that those around them would be better off if they were gone. Young adults in their twenties represent the largest group seeking emergency care after suicide attempts, according to Yoo.
The personal impact of the crisis is illustrated by cartoonist Smiling Stone Hwang, who survived a suicide attempt after enduring prolonged hardship following her father's death by suicide in 2014. Inheriting his debts, Hwang faced years of financial and legal struggles that left her unable to open a bank account and compelled her to work multiple informal jobs. Reflecting on her experience, she described suicide as once feeling like a "rational choice," but now credits her resilience to finding acceptance and support.
Similar AI surveillance technologies are being developed and deployed elsewhere to identify and prevent suicide incidents. Japanese company Asilla has created AI tools that detect unusual behaviors such as falls or pre-suicidal actions in public spaces. Yuka Suzuki, Asilla’s chief product officer, affirmed that while AI cannot replace human intervention or resolve underlying mental health challenges, it can potentially reduce the number of sudden fatalities.
The Han River system has encountered challenges, including cases where individuals temporarily intercepted by responders later resumed suicidal behavior. Kim recounted an incident involving a young man who was rescued, only to return to the bridge and attempt again within hours, ultimately resulting in his death despite rescue efforts.
Hwang’s memoir, “I Am a Suicide Loss Survivor,” recounts personal losses and struggles, including her father’s battle with alcohol addiction and his final, unfulfilled visit to her workplace. The emotional toll of such stories underscores the ongoing urgency of addressing South Korea’s suicide crisis through a combination of technology, mental health support, and cultural change.