Authorities denied extension of sick leave prior to death An image depicting a person sitting against a wall (123rf) A 54-year-old police officer was found dead after leaving home a week ago, a local media outlet reported Sunday. The officer had been receiving treatment for injuries sustained in an accident while he was on duty and his recent requests for extended sick leave had been denied multiple times by superiors.According to Yonhap News Agency, the officer of Hapcheon Police Station in South Gyeongsang Province was found dead on Aug. 2 after leaving home to exercise. No suicide note was found.The officer was reportedly suffering from depression and side effects of a brain hemorrhage and multiple fractures after an accident that occurred while he was managing the scene of a traffic accident in January 2024. He received treatment for physical and psychological issues, taking sick leave and extended leaves of absence. The officer's family said his injuries were severe enough to make it difficult to walk for more than 10 minutes.The officer submitted requests in July and August for extra time off to recuperate from depression and an additional wrist injury. Both requests were denied and he was set to return to work after Aug. 28.The incident has prompted calls for better support of officers injured in the line of duty, particularly to strengthen suicide prevention and mental health support systems.A total of 116 officers committed suicide between 2021 and 2025, according to the National Police Agency.Data from the Ministry of Personnel Management shows an upward trend in the suicide rate among civil servants in recent years, going from 31 in 2023 to 40 in 2024 and 49 last year. The percentage of such deaths recognized as having occurred in the line of duty decreased over the same period, going from 51.6 percent in 2023 to 45 percent in 2024 and to 32.7 percent in 2025.The National Police Agency offers counseling for officers suffering from psychological difficulties via its Mind Health Center. The number of people receiving counseling at the center increased from 9,940 in 2021 to 17,024 in 2025.* If you’re thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s helpline at 109, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please request a translator for English-language services.