A South Korean activist's desperate public stunt to save his organization ended in tragedy.
Sung Jae-gi led a controversial men's rights movement, operating shelters for vulnerable men while battling significant personal and organizational debt. In a final, widely criticized attempt to secure funding, he announced he would jump from a bridge. The stunt, intended to draw attention, resulted in his death in 2013.
Sung Jae-gi was a prominent figure in the South Korean men's rights landscape, founding groups like Man of Korea to advocate for what he perceived as the social vulnerability of men. His activism spanned over a decade, during which he campaigned against the existence of the Ministry of Women, argued for the restoration of military bonus-points, and supported access to internet pornography. Beyond his political advocacy, he managed a shelter and job placement service for homeless, unemployed, and marginalized men, including gay and transgender individuals.
By 2013, Sung faced severe financial pressure, with debts reaching 100 million won. In a desperate bid to raise funds, he posted a public declaration on his organization's website, stating his intention to jump from the Mapo Bridge into the Han River. He framed this act as a plea for financial support, hoping to secure 100 million won—roughly $94,000—to clear his organization's liabilities and provide operating capital. His announcement was met with widespread public skepticism and indifference, with many online commentators dismissing the threat as a manipulative fundraising tactic.
Despite his later claims that he did not intend to die and believed he would survive the jump, the reality of the conditions proved fatal. On July 26, 2013, accompanied by others and despite the presence of lifeguards, Sung jumped from the bridge into the river, which had been swollen by heavy rains. His body was recovered four days later near the Seogang Bridge. The incident sparked significant controversy and was followed by a reported increase in copycat suicides throughout August 2013, marking a grim end to a life defined by polarizing activism and financial instability.
Source: Sung Jae-gi
