On September 20, 2025, South Korea faced another tragic reminder of the lasting trauma from the Itaewon crowd crush disaster. A firefighter from Incheon, identified only as Mr. Park, was found dead beneath a highway overpass in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, ten days after he went missing. This marks the latest in a series of suicides among first responders who were deployed to the Itaewon tragedy scene three years ago, highlighting a mental health crisis that continues to plague Korea's emergency workers.
For American readers unfamiliar with the Itaewon disaster, it was South Korea's deadliest crowd crush incident, occurring on October 29, 2022, during Halloween celebrations in Seoul's nightlife district. The tragedy claimed 159 lives and injured hundreds more. The incident shocked the nation and led to widespread criticism of crowd control measures and emergency response protocols.
The recent death of Mr. Park follows that of another firefighter, 44-year-old Mr. A from Goseong Fire Station in South Gyeongsang Province, who was found dead at his home in late August. Mr. A had been part of the fire suppression team deployed to Itaewon and had applied for occupational injury leave citing trauma as the reason for his relocation from Seoul to South Gyeongsang earlier this year. These incidents reveal the direct connection between the responders' deaths and the psychological trauma they experienced during the disaster response.
Understanding Korea's First Responder System and Cultural Context
To understand the significance of this crisis, Americans should know that Korea's emergency response system operates under a highly hierarchical structure, similar to the U.S. but with stronger emphasis on duty and sacrifice. Korean firefighters, police officers, and paramedics are public servants who face intense social pressure to perform their duties without complaint. This cultural expectation of stoicism, deeply rooted in Confucian values, often prevents first responders from seeking mental health support.
Unlike in the United States, where post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among first responders has gained significant recognition and treatment infrastructure since 9/11, Korea's approach to emergency worker mental health remains underdeveloped. While American firefighters and police have access to peer support programs, employee assistance programs, and specialized trauma therapists, Korean first responders often face stigma when seeking psychological help.
Dr. Kim, a psychiatrist at Seoul National University Medical School, explains that "first responders deployed to disaster scenes experience more intense trauma than ordinary citizens. They require specialized and continuous mental health care, but in reality, we focus only on short-term treatment aimed at returning them to work." This approach contrasts sharply with American practices, where departments increasingly recognize that untreated trauma leads to higher suicide rates, substance abuse, and early retirement.
The concept of "secondary trauma" - psychological distress experienced by those who help trauma victims - is well-established in American emergency medicine but remains poorly understood in Korean society. First responders regularly witness scenes of extreme human suffering, and when these experiences involve mass casualties like Itaewon, the psychological impact can be devastating and long-lasting.
Systemic Failures and Cultural Barriers to Treatment
The deaths expose fundamental flaws in Korea's support system for emergency workers. While the Korean Fire Service and National Police Agency provide basic counseling programs after major incidents, they lack the comprehensive, long-term treatment infrastructure found in many American cities. For American readers, imagine if 9/11 first responders had been expected to return to work immediately without the extensive mental health support programs that were eventually established.
The bureaucratic challenges facing Korean first responders seeking help are particularly stark. The process for applying for occupational injury benefits due to psychological trauma involves complex procedures and difficult approval processes. More problematically, the social stigma surrounding mental health issues in Korean workplace culture discourages many from seeking help. This is compounded by concerns about career advancement and peer judgment - issues that American first responder departments have been working to address through culture change initiatives.
A representative from the Korea Emergency Medical Technician Association emphasized that "mental health problems among first responders should be recognized as occupational diseases, not personal issues. We urgently need systems for regular mental health screenings, preventive counseling, and immediate access to specialized treatment when needed." This mirrors calls made by American firefighter unions and advocacy groups over the past two decades.
Broader Safety Concerns in 2025 Korea
The first responder mental health crisis occurs against a backdrop of heightened safety concerns in Korea. In February 2025, a teacher suffering from depression killed a student with a knife at an elementary school in Daejeon just 20 days after returning from sick leave. Following the Jeju Air passenger plane crash in late 2024, investigations revealed that budget airlines' safety management staffing was critically insufficient - Jeju Air carried twice as many passengers as Asiana Airlines but employed only one-third the number of maintenance technicians.
In March 2025, a wildfire in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, burned for over ten days and was recorded as the worst wildfire in Korean history. These incidents highlight systemic safety management failures across multiple sectors, increasing the workload and stress on emergency responders who must handle an increasing number of complex emergencies.
For American readers, these patterns may seem familiar. The United States has experienced similar challenges with underfunded emergency services, understaffed safety agencies, and mounting pressure on first responders. However, America's response has included federal initiatives like the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act and increased funding for first responder mental health programs.
A policy director from the Korea Social Work Association noted that "first responders must maintain healthy mental states for citizens' safety to be guaranteed. Systematic mental health support for these workers is an investment in strengthening our social safety net." This perspective aligns with growing recognition in American emergency services that responder wellness directly impacts public safety outcomes.
Learning from International Best Practices
The solution requires adopting proven international approaches while addressing Korea's unique cultural context. American cities like New York and Los Angeles have implemented comprehensive first responder mental health programs that include mandatory counseling after traumatic incidents, peer support networks, family support services, and career protection for those seeking treatment.
Canada's public safety personnel PTSD legislation, which presumes PTSD is work-related for first responders, could serve as a model for Korea. Australia's Beyond Blue program has shown success in reducing stigma around mental health in traditionally masculine professions through targeted education and culture change initiatives.
Korea must develop culturally appropriate solutions that acknowledge the hierarchical nature of its emergency services while prioritizing responder welfare. This includes training supervisors to recognize trauma symptoms, creating confidential support pathways, and establishing clear policies that protect careers while encouraging treatment-seeking.
The tragedy of Korean first responders taking their own lives three years after the Itaewon disaster represents more than individual losses - it exposes a systemic failure to protect those who protect others. As Korea continues to face various safety challenges in 2025, building robust mental health support systems for emergency workers isn't just a moral imperative; it's essential for maintaining effective emergency response capabilities that protect all citizens.
The time has come for Korea to acknowledge that caring for first responders' mental health is not a luxury but a necessity for a safe society. Only through comprehensive, sustained support systems can Korea prevent further tragedies and ensure that those who dedicate their lives to protecting others receive the care and support they deserve.
Source: 이태원 참사 트라우마, 또 다른 희생자들... 응급처치자 정신건강 지원 시급하다
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