Abstract:
This study is an attempt to analyse and understand elderly suicide within the context of
pastoral counselling in the current Korean society. This research on elderly suicide is
carried out from the perspective of postfoundationalist practical theology, using a
narrative method as a methodological approach. For this purpose, Korean novels that
deal with elderly suicide were analysed and in-depth interviews with four co-researchers
who have attempted suicide or have any family members who committed suicide were
conducted. This research was conducted on a social constructionist basis. The power of
modern discourses were analyzed using the narratives of the four co-researchers’
experiences. The aim of this analysis is to figure out the ways in which the dominant
discourse of South Korean society constructs the lives of the co-researchers. The harmful
influences of these discourses have been deconstructed through the interviews. In order
to better understand the narratives of the co-researchers, an interdisciplinary team
approach to this research was employed. As informed by the various interpretations and
new understandings that all four team members provided, I am impressed by the power
of the narrative approach. This study demonstrates that elderly suicide is not a trivial
problem but a very serious problem in South Korea. The contribution of this study is to
show that elderly people are able to re-author their own lives, as opposed to the social
common belief that they are obstinate and unchangeable. I would never have reached this
conclusion without listening to the narratives of the co-researchers.
