Of 2,143 admissions following suicide attempts over a 7-year period (1980-1986) in Seoul, Korea, 38 were cases of suicide by burning. These cases were matched by age & gender to a control group of suicide attempters in the general population & were investigated for psychosocial differences from other suicide attempters. No significant social differences were found between the groups. The majority of suicide attempts by burning occurred in a public place & were eventually fatal. Half of these cases suffered from significant mental disorders & marital disharmony. (7 refs.)