Vietnam vet who was exposed to defoliants commits suicide

A Vietnam War veteran who suffered the ill effects of exposure to defoliants for more than 20 years was found dead after committing suicide. Won Ki-Man, who was hospitalized and treated in Youngdo Hospital, Pusan, leapt from the seventh floor window of his ward and was found dead Sunday morning.

Won served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. After showing symptoms associated with exposure to defoliants since 1981, Won saw his health severely deteriorate due to high blood pressure, diabetes and acute kidney disease from last November.

According to family members, Won often expressed regret for not looking after his family and said they would be better off if he disappeared.

It is estimated that the number of people suffering from the effects of exposure to defoliants reaches as high as 60,000 nationwide, including 3,200 in the Pusan area. Among them are about 3,000 people who receive government subsidies.