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Mayor Chun Jae-soo Meets the Unsung Heroes of Suicide Prevention, Protecting Lives 365 Days a Year

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that Mayor Chun Jae-soo will visit Busan Lifeline at 2:40 p.m. today, October 1, to share the city’s suicide prevention policies and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation.

The visit was arranged to hear directly from volunteers who work on the front lines of suicide prevention, responding around the clock, 365 days a year, to signs of crisis among citizens.

In particular, Busan Lifeline counselor Yoo Soon-deok has devoted 44 years to volunteer counseling and this year surpassed 10,000 cumulative hours of service. In recognition of her longstanding dedication to protecting lives, she will receive the Grand Prize in the Volunteer Service category of the Proud Citizen Award at the Busan Citizens’ Day ceremony to be held at 10:00 a.m. today.

Mayor Chun is visiting the site in person to give added recognition to these unsung heroes who have quietly worked to protect citizens’ lives.

During the visit, Mayor Chun will tour facilities including the counseling rooms, receive a briefing on Busan Lifeline’s suicide prevention activities, and take part in an on-site meeting attended by volunteer counselors and others.

At the meeting, participants will share examples of the work carried out by volunteers who have dedicated themselves for many years to frontline crisis counseling, as well as the difficulties they face. They will also discuss the importance of private-sector suicide prevention activities and future directions for support.

Since its establishment in 1978, Busan Lifeline has served for nearly 50 years as one of Busan’s leading private-sector suicide prevention organizations, standing alongside citizens in crisis and helping protect lives.

Today, approximately 200 volunteer counselors and 13 instructors promoting respect for life operate the Lifeline counseling service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while carrying out a range of activities aimed at preventing suicide and fostering a culture of respect for life.

Meanwhile, Busan Metropolitan City has designated this year as the inaugural Year of Respect for Life and is pursuing suicide prevention as a major municipal policy priority.

In particular, to sustain this year’s downward trend in the suicide rate, the city plans to further strengthen cooperation with private-sector suicide prevention organizations such as Busan Lifeline and expand a culture of respect for life together with citizens.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, “The tangible and intangible value of these unsung heroes who devote themselves to people in their most difficult moments is beyond measure. We will strengthen support so that the volunteers who have quietly protected lives for so many years can take greater pride in their work and receive the recognition they deserve.”

He added, “Suicide prevention cannot be achieved through public administration alone. The interest and participation of both the private sector and citizens are essential. I hope all citizens will take an extra moment to care about the precious lives of those around them and join us in spreading a culture of respect for life.”