Applications for Duty-Related Death Following Suicide Surge, Yet Approval Rates Decline

The number of applications for duty-related death resulting from public servants' suicides is increasing annually, yet the actual approval rate has dropped significantly over three years. According to data obtained by People Power Party Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon from the Ministry of Personnel Management on the 9th, while applications have steadily risen, the number of approved cases has stagnated with no significant changes during the same period.

The number of applications increased annually from 31 in 2023 to 40 in 2024 and 49 in 2025; however, the actual number of approved cases remained low at 16, 18, and 16, respectively, during the same period.

The data also includes indicators regarding the excessive work environments of public servants. Among central administrative agencies, the National Police Agency had the highest average monthly overtime hours per employee at 47.6 hours, followed by the Korea Coast Guard at 27.3 hours, the National Fire Agency at 25.5 hours, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at 23.0 hours.