Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for matters necessary for ensuring citizens have a stable, fulfilling life by formulating and implementing a comprehensive policy for the prevention of suicide and the creation of a culture of respect for life.

Article 2 (Basic Principle) Suicide is a preventable social issue, and thus a public safety network shall be established for prevention thereof by various means and for follow-up management by gender, by age group, by class, and by motive, taking into consideration a variety of psychological, social, and environmental factors affecting citizens.

Article 3 (Rights and Duties of Citizens) (1) A citizen who is, or feels, at risk of suicide has a right to request the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "Seoul Government") to assist him or her.
(2) Citizens shall fully cooperate with the Seoul Government in formulating and implementing policies for the prevention of suicide and shall take measures necessary for rescue, whenever a person is found highly suicidal.

Article 4 (Responsibilities of Mayor) The Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor") shall formulate and implement policies necessary to promote respect for life, and pro-actively rescue persons who are suicidal or who attempt suicide, from the danger, concentrating efforts on preventive measures. In such cases, policies shall include matters for protecting persons who attempted suicide and their families or families of those who committed suicide. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6592, Jul. 13, 2017>

Article 5 (Formulation of Implementation Plans for Prevention of Suicide) (1) The Mayor shall formulate and implement an implementation plan befitting local conditions for the prevention of suicide (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") each year in accordance with the relevant master plan formulated by the Minister of Health and Welfare for the prevention of suicide under Article 7 of the Act on the Prevention of Suicide and the Creation of Culture of Respect for Life.
(2) Each implementation plan shall provide for the following matters: <Amended by Ordinance No. 6838, Mar. 22, 2018>
1. Creation of a culture of respect for life;
2. Development and distribution of manuals for counselling on suicide;
3. Measures for the prevention of suicide by gender, by age group, by class, and by motive of suicide;
4. Improvement of mental health, including reduction of depression and drug addition;
5. Establishment of a system for the prevention of suicide by various media, including information and communications systems;
6. Detection, medical treatment, and follow-up management of persons who are suicidal or who attempt suicide;
7. Psychological counseling, counseling therapy, and social and economic assistance to families of persons who committed suicide;
8. Establishment of a suicide monitoring system;
9. Control of means for suicide;
10. Education and training for the prevention of suicide;
11. Assistance in research for the prevention of suicide;
12. A plan for the designation and operation of collaborative institutions for the prevention of suicide;
13. Other matters necessary for the implementation plan.
(3) The Mayor shall establish suicide prevention delivery systems by region to efficiently conduct the affairs under the subparagraphs of paragraph (2). <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 6838, Mar. 22, 2018>
(4) If the Mayor deems it necessary for the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of an implementation plan, he or she may request the head of an autonomous Gu and the head of an organization participating in activities for the prevention of suicide to furnish him or her with relevant data and cooperate with him or her, as necessary. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6838, Mar. 22, 2018>
(5) A person who is requested to cooperate under paragraph (3) shall comply with such request, except in extraordinary circumstances. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6838, Mar. 22, 2018>

Article 6 (Adjustment of Implementation Plans for each Autonomous Gu) (1) The Mayor may adjust an implementation plan for each autonomous Gu, inspect its performance of the plan, and may subsidize each autonomous Gu for expenses incurred in formulating and implementing the implementation plan for the relevant autonomous Gu.
(2) Matters necessary for the formulation and implementation of the implementation plan for each autonomous Gu under paragraph (1) and the evaluation of results of performance thereof shall be prescribed by municipal rule.

Article 7 (Establishment of Suicide Prevention Committee) In order to seek advice and deliberate on the following matters, the Mayor may establish the Suicide Prevention Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "Committee") as an affiliate of the:
1. Formulation and execution of implementation plans;
2. Implementation of programs for the prevention of suicide and respect for life;
3. Establishment and operation of institutions for the prevention of suicide;
4. Other matters the Mayor deems necessary for the prevention of suicide.

Article 8 (Formation and Operation of Committee) (1) The Committee shall be composed of not less than 12, but not more than 15 members, including one chairperson and one vice chairperson.
(2) A Vice-Mayor shall serve as the chairperson, and the Director-General of the Citizens' Health Bureau shall serve as the vice chairperson. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5767, Dec. 11, 2014; Ordinance No. 5864, May 14, 2015>
(3) Committee members shall be appointed or commissioned by the Mayor from among the following persons, but at least one person from each of the following categories shall be included in the committee members: <Amended by Ordinance No. 6067, Jan. 7, 2016>
1. Council members recommended by the Seoul Metropolitan Council;
2. The head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Suicide Prevention Center (hereinafter referred to as "Suicide Prevention Center");
3. Experts specializing in mental health with abundant knowledge and experience regarding respect for life and the prevention of suicide;
4. Judges, public prosecutors, or licensed attorneys-at-law with abundant knowledge and experience in human rights;
5. Experts in journalism, such as newspaper, broadcasting, and communications;
6. Representatives from non-governmental organizations implementing a program for the prevention of suicide;
7. Other persons the Mayor deems necessary.
(4) The term of office of commissioned members shall coincide with the period for which the Committee is to remain in existence.
(5) The Committee shall appoint an executive secretary and a clerk, and the Director of the Medical and Health Policy Division shall serve as the executive secretary, while the head of the Mental Health Team shall serve as the clerk.
(6) The Committee's meetings shall be classified as regular meetings and special meetings; regular meetings shall be held semiannually, while special meetings may be held whenever the chairperson deems necessary.
(7) Other matters necessary for the operation of the Committee shall be prescribed by municipal rule.

Article 9 (Establishment of System for Cooperation of Communities) (1) For the efficient implementation of policies for the prevention of suicide and creation of a culture of respect for life, the Mayor shall establish a system for the prevention of suicide with cooperation between private and public sectors.
(2) The Mayor may provide services, such as follow-up management, to persons who are suicidal or attempted suicide and to families of persons who committed suicide, through emergency medical institutions, the National Emergency management Agency, Central Fire Service, National Police Agency, and other relevant agencies. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6184, Mar. 24, 2016>

Article 10 (Establishment of System for Analysis of Statistics of Suicide and Management of Information) (1) The Mayor shall collect and analyze statistics on suicide by gender, by age group, by class, by motive of suicide, etc. so as to ascertain actual conditions of suicide and formulate plans for control.
(2) The Mayor may designate institutions specializing in surveying and research, and entrust such institutions with the collection, analysis, and management of statistics on suicide, or provide assistance to such institutions.
(3) If the Mayor deems it necessary to establish a system for the analysis of statistics of suicide and the management of information thereon, he or she may request the head of a relevant public agency, medical institution, or organization participating in activities for the prevention of suicide, to furnish the Mayor with relevant data and to cooperate with him or her, as necessary.
(4) A person who is requested to cooperate under paragraph (3) shall comply with such request, except in extraordinary circumstance.

Article 10-2 (Psychological Autopsy) In order to formulate effective policies to prevent suicide and provide psychological assistance to persons who attempted suicide and their families or families of those who committed suicide, the Mayor may conduct a psychological autopsy to investigate the cause of suicide based on psychological and behavioral changes, etc. before or after suicide. In such cases, a prior consent shall be obtained from persons who attempted suicide and their families or families of those who committed suicide.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 6592, Jul. 13, 2017]
[Moved from Article 10-1 <by Ordinance No. 6838, Mar. 22, 2018>]

Article 11 (Establishment and Operation of Suicide Prevention Center) (1) In order to perform the following services, the Mayor may establish and operate a suicide prevention center:
1. Twenty-four-hour counselling services for the prevention of suicide;
2. Prompt dispatch and response to the scene of a suicide attempt;
3. Follow-up management of persons who attempt suicide;
4. Publicity and education for the prevention of suicide;
5. Training of experts for the prevention of suicide;
6. Counselling services and programs for families of persons who committed suicide;
7. Other services the Mayor deems necessary for the prevention of suicide.
(2) The Mayor establish the suicide prevention center under paragraph (1) as an organization affiliated to the mental health welfare center under Article 15 of the Act on the Improvement of Mental Health and the Support for Welfare Services for Mental Patients. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6961, Jan. 3, 2019>
(3) The Mayor may entrust a private institution or organization with the operation of the suicide prevention center, taking into consideration specialty, human resources, facilities, etc., and may subsidize such institution or organization for expenses incurred in the performance of entrusted services.
(4) The head of a suicide prevention center shall work full-time in principle. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 6184, Mar. 24, 2016>

Article 12 (Assistance to Suicidal Persons) (1) For early detection of suicidal persons and counselling services and medical treatment for such persons, the Mayor may provide the following services for assistance to such persons:
1. Training of suicide prevention wardens;
2. Development and distribution of tools for screening mental health;
3. Counselling on mental health and subsidization for medical treatment;
4. Other measures deemed necessary for suicidal persons.
(2) The Mayor may provide assistance under paragraph (1) through medical institutions operated by the Seoul Government, the suicide prevention center, and institutions involved in the prevention of suicide, and may subsidize such institutions for expenses incurred in providing services.
(3) In implementing programs for preventing suicide, the Mayor shall prepare measures for single-person households. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 6757, Jan. 4, 2018>

Article 13 (Assistance to Persons who Attempted Suicide) (1) In order to alleviate the impact on persons who attempted suicide and their families or families of persons who committed suicide, etc., the Mayor may provide the following programs for assistance to such persons and families: <Amended by Ordinance No. 6592, Jul. 13, 2017>
1. Healing programs for short-term hospitalization or admission of persons who attempted suicide and families of persons who committed suicide;
2. Programs for emotional assistance to persons who attempted suicide and families of persons who committed suicide;
3. Assistance to persons who attempted suicide and families of persons who committed suicide, in medical treatment;
4. Other programs deemed necessary for treating persons who attempted suicide and families of persons who committed suicide.
(2) Where the Mayor intends to provide any program under paragraph (1), he or she shall authorize medical institutions operated by the Seoul Government, the suicide prevention center, and institutions involved in the prevention of suicide to develop and establish the programs, as necessary, and shall allocate a budget necessary therefor.
(3) The Seoul Government shall not provide any program in a manner that would wrongfully disgrace any person who attempted suicide or any family member of a person who committed suicide, or disturb the peace of life.

Article 14 (Establishment of System for Protection from Harmful Information about Suicide) (1) The Mayor shall establish and operate a system for protection from harmful information about suicide so as to block the distribution of harmful information about suicide, detect such information in advance, and promptly take countermeasures to suppress such information.
(2) Matters necessary for the establishment, operation, etc. of the system for protection from harmful information about suicide under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by rule of the Seoul Government.

Article 15 (Assistance in Recovery from Trauma Sustained in Intervention in Suicide Crisis) (1) The Mayor may implement supportive programs necessary to relieve and treat trauma that workers for any of the following institutions are likely to experience in the course of intervention in a suicide crisis: <Amended by Ordinance No. 6961, Jan. 3, 2019>
1. The suicide prevention center and the mental health welfare center;
2. Medical institutions and facilities for rehabilitating mental patients' into society, operated by the Seoul Government;
3. Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters;
4. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency;
5. Emergency medical centers;
6. Other institutions or organizations the Mayor deems necessary.
(2) The Mayor may fully or partially subsidize the relevant institutions, organizations, and facilities for expenses incurred in the support under paragraph (1), within the budget.

Article 16 (Assistance to Non-Governmental Organizations) In order to diversify programs for the creation of a culture of respect for life and the prevention of suicide, the Mayor may provide administrative or financial assistance to institutions or organizations that conduct a program for the prevention of suicide as necessary for providing services. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6067, Jan. 7, 2016>

Article 16-2 (Suicide Prevention Day) The Mayor may conduct events and educational and promotional programs appropriate for the objectives of Suicide Prevention Day under Article 16 of the Act in order to create a social and cultural environment where life is respected.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 7477, Jan. 9, 2020]

Article 17 (Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information) No person who performed or performs a duty for the prevention of suicide under this Ordinance shall divulge or disclose any other person's confidential information of which he or she becomes aware in connection with the performance of such duty.

Article 18 (Enforcement Rule) Matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be prescribed by rule of the Seoul Government.

ADDENDA
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Period of Existence of Suicide Prevention Committee)
The Suicide Prevention Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Government under Article 7 shall remain in existence for two years from the date this Ordinance enters into force, and the Committee shall be merged into the Mental Health Council of the Seoul Metropolitan Government after the expiration of the period.
Article 3 (Transitional Measure concerning Suicide Prevention Center)
The suicide prevention center in operation at the time this Ordinance enters into force shall be deemed the suicide prevention center established and operated pursuant to this Ordinance.
ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 5767, Dec. 11, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on January 1, 2015.
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 5864, May 14, 2015>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on July 1, 2015.
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6067, Jan. 7, 2016>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6184, Mar. 24, 2016>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6592, Jul. 13, 2017>
This Ordinance shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6757, Jan. 4, 2018>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6961, Jan. 3, 2019>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 7477, Jan. 9, 2020>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.