Trappings of Pursuing Wealth

By Deauwand Myers

Recently, The Korea Times published a brief report showing statistics that reveal a starling fact: Korea now has the highest rate of suicide amongst developed countries.

Over 30,000 Koreans kill themselves every year, close to the same number as in Japan, which has a much larger population, 127 million, than Korea, near 50 million. Suicide may be one of the most serious social problems plaguing the nation.

Just as shocking is the trend the suicide rate seems to follow: it rises as Korea's economic development flourishes.

More startling still is the lack of serious discussion about this issue in government, media and general society.

What the average consumer of the Korean news media will find is the invariable focus on Korea's economic progress: Its increase in the standard of living, median wages, trade revenue and national financial viability are the common areas of analysis.

Let me first say that, of course, I wish that Korea, as a proud, industrious, democratic, and culturally vibrant society, sees continued economic success. Everything from Korean drama to wages, to literature, and technological advancements (the technological wonders, LG and Samsung, for example) have flourished under the umbrella of sincere hard work and intellectual ingenuity that defines a rising Korea.

But something is lacking. As societies economically better themselves, other, less tangible problems take the place of poverty. Sociological studies done on racial minority groups in America show that upwardly mobile people, under the psychological strain to financially succeed, are often confronted with the darker parts of the human condition that inevitably reveal themselves to all of us. Mental depression, substance abuse, and yes, suicide rates, increase as these people pursue and achieve ever-higher levels of wealth.

The reasons for suicide are complex, and I don't want to argue that economic prosperity (or the pursuit thereof) is the only reason for the increased suicide rate. However, we can see that, in the 80s, Korean suicide rates were amongst the lowest in the world. Now, close to being part of the top ten economies on earth, Korea is number one for all the wrong reasons. The relationship between mental stress and pursuing wealth is not tangential.

We need not vilify capitalism, however, to address the problems that come with the pursuit of wealth. We need to seriously engage these problems, and perhaps change our perspective, just a bit.

Money, status, and power should not be the center of our lives. Korean society should then seek some balance between pursuing a better life (financially) and pursing a better life ``holistically.'' The Korean government, obviously enthralled with furthering Korea's economic development, should pay a great deal more attention to the stresses that Korean people face as they endeavor to get into top universities and become employees at top firms.

Where is the earnest urgency to address the high suicide rate within the Lee administration? Where is the sorrow and outrage of so many humans giving into the most final of temptations ― self-annihilation? Why aren't Koreans crying out for discussion and solutions to this dire epidemic?

In Japan, No. 3 on the list of highest suicide rates, the government and the society have made concerted efforts to address this problem, with some success (suicide rates have modestly but steadily declined in the most recent years).

Korea can have a successful economy and a society that's more mentally and spiritually healthy. We need not trade one for the other, nor should we ignore the inner self to its detriment and ultimate destruction. Korea can engage this social crisis through discussion, through changes in perspective, through increased awareness of depression, anxiety, and more training and funding for mental health services, including counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists in Korean schools, universities, and workplaces.

More precious than a thriving Korean economy are thriving Koreans. I sincerely hope we remember that.

The writer holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory and is currently an English professor at Shingu College. He has written novels and poetry and can be reached at deauwand@gmail.com.

[출처 : 코리아타임스]