The number of suicides tends to be higher among officers than enlisted soldiers each year. Among all military suicides in 2019, the share of officer suicides increased from 56.4% to 64.2% in 2020 and 70% in 2021. In particular, there are many suicides of junior officers who have been in service for 1 to 3 years, and as of 2018, approx. 60% of the officer suicide cases were suicides of junior officers with 1 to 3 years of service.388) Looking at the suicide rate per 100,000 people, after recording a peak of 12.6 in 2010 and 15.2 in 2011, it has steadily declined to 8-9 since 2015, and the lowest level of 7.1 in 2020. However, 2021 recorded 14.1, a two-fold increase. The Ministry of National Defense and the military are implementing various measures to prevent soldier suicide. Suicide prevention education is held bi-annually, at least, with instructors dedicated to suicide prevention, and a comprehensive system for suicide prevention is managed in stages of ‘identification-management-separation.’ There is also an anonymous psychological counseling program for junior officers. However, since the suicide prevention education system was designed with a focus on supporting the soldiers, criticism has been raised that the suicide prevention system for the officers, such as noncommissioned officers, was not properly established.389) B) Conflicting Interpretations Surrounding the Status of Military Suicides It goes without saying that a soldier's suicide is a personal and family tragedy. Moreover, in Korea, where the conscription system is maintained, suicide in the military has a serious negative impact on comrades and commanders living together, and causes a decrease in morale and combat power of the military and a decrease in public trust in the military.390) However, various statistical data, such as the number of military suicides and the suicide rate per 100,000 people, can be interpreted differently in relation to the effectiveness or direction of the current military suicide prevention policy. 388) NHRCK, Decided on Jul. 2020, 19ExOfficio0004300, Ex Officio Investigation for the Prevention of Suicides by Junior Officers 389) Joongang Ilbo, More fatal choices made by military officers and military personnel, Nov. 5, 2021. 390) Lee, Hye-seon and Kwon, Jeong-hye, Effectiveness Verification of the Military Suicide Prevention Program, Journal of the Korean Psychological Association, 2010 166