Gov`t imposes ban on `suicide` sites

Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong ordered the ministries of justice and of information-communications, the prosecution, police and other governmental agencies concerned to do away with "suicide" Web sites which he said are disruptive of the nation`s morals and customs.

Lee also called for heavy penalties on "antisocial offenses" like the operation of such Internet sites, which have been blamed for a recent spate of suicides among young people.

He said that although the operators of most the 60 sites now in operation claim to be in the business of preventing suicide, they actually push children and youths to kill themselves and sometimes others by offering tips on how to end their lives.

Law-enforcement authorities identified and closed down 43 such sites in the last year only to see 23 new ones launched in the last month.

Ha Tae-Won scooop@donga.com