A recent survey revealed that one in five correctional officers in South Korea is exposed to mental health risks.
On September 3, the Ministry of Justice announced the results of the "2026 Mental Health Analysis of Correctional Officers," conducted from May 11 over four weeks with 9,122 participants nationwide. The analysis found that 20.1% of all participants were classified as at-risk in at least one mental health factor.
The primary risk factor was alcoholism at 7.7%, followed by depression at 6.4%, suicidal thoughts at 5.9%, and post-traumatic stress at 5.8%. Notably, the rate of suicidal planning among those with suicidal experiences was about 2.4 times higher than that of the general adult population, while the rate of suicide attempts was approximately 1.7 times higher. Age-wise, mental health issues were most pronounced among those in their 40s, while addiction tendencies were more common in those in their 30s, and post-traumatic stress was relatively higher in those in their 50s.
Job stress factors included "increased workload due to overcrowding and staff shortages," which accounted for 55.0%, maintaining its position as the top concern since the 2024 survey. Other significant causes included a focus on inmate rights (37.8%) and a closed working environment (27.8%).
Based on these findings, the Ministry of Justice plans to enhance mental health screenings and expand programs for mental and physical care, as well as job stress management.
Lee Hong-yeon, head of the Correctional Headquarters, stated, "The mental health of correctional officers is not just about managing individual psychological well-being; it is a crucial factor that influences the safe operation of correctional facilities and the quality of job performance. We will continuously monitor the mental health status of correctional officers through regular surveys and develop effective support policies, while also striving to improve the treatment of correctional officers and address overcrowding in facilities."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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