[Graphic News] Social cost of health care rises

The social cost of treating medical illnesses and injuries totaled 120.65 trillion won ($110.12 billion) in South Korea in 2012, a report showed Tuesday.

At 8.8 percent of the GDP in the same year, it showed an increase of 24.2 percent from 2008.

Injuries and addictions, including alcoholism, cost the most ― 19.54 trillion won ― among all medical conditions. They made up 16.2 percent of the total cost in 2012.

Suicides and attempted suicides, on the other hand, were the most common cases in the category of injuries and addictions. The economic cost of suicides alone totaled 6.47 trillion won in 2012.

Meanwhile, cancer costs were 15.33 trillion won in 2012. The disease accounted for the second-largest expense following injuries and addictions.