Mental distress on the rise among Gangnam children: data
Mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety, have been rising sharply among children in Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu and Songpa-gu, Seoul's southern districts known for intense academic competition.
In the three elite education hubs, the number of cases covered by the national health insurance system in which children under nine were treated for depression and anxiety jumped from 1,037 in 2020 to 3,309 in 2024 — nearly tripling over the five-year period, according to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service submitted to Rep. Jin Sun-mee of the Democratic Party of Korea.
Figures rose consistently from 1,612 in 2021 to 2,188 in 2022 and 2,797 in 2023.
In 2024 alone, the average number of claims in each of the three Gangnam districts stood at 1,103, which is 3.8 times higher than the average of 291 across Seoul's 25 districts.
Mental health issues among infants and young children are not limited to Seoul's Gangnam area, but are a growing concern nationwide.
Across the country, the number of health insurance claims for depression and anxiety in children under nine doubled from 15,407 in 2020 to 32,601 in 2024.
"The findings indicate that early academic stress can have a tangible, harmful effect on children's mental health," a HIRA official said.
The recent data was based on insurance records reviewed and approved by the national health insurance audit agency during the cited period.
Under the NHIS, patients pay only a portion of their medical costs at the time of treatment. The remaining amount is billed to the HIRA by the medical provider. Before the payment is made, the agency reviews the claim to determine whether the treatment was appropriate and eligible for coverage.
Meanwhile, the high concentration of English-language kindergartens in the Gangnam area reflects the district's strong academic zeal.
Of the total 240 English kindergartens across Seoul as of last year, 59, or nearly 25 percent, are located in Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu and Songpa-gu. Gangnam-gu accounted for the largest share with 25, followed by Songpa-gu with 21 and Seocho-gu with 13.
Many English kindergartens in Gangnam-gu offer toddler programs for children as young as 2 or 3, with some parents preparing their children for entrance exams at top-tier kindergartens.
'At a time when children should be simply learning how to play and grow, they are suffering under excessive academic pressure and stress from competition," the lawmaker said.
"There needs to be a thorough review of early private education, and real action to ease the burden on our youngest learners."
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