The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship of hopelessness and suicidal lethality of suicide attempters. The subjects were 72 persons who attempted suicide and came to the emergency room of Chungbuk National University Hospital from April 1st, 1995 to March 31st, 1996. The hopelessness of suicide attempter was assessed by Beck Hopelessness Scale(BHS), and the suicidal lethality was assessed by Risk-Rescue score. The Risk-Rescue Scores exhibited no significant differences in demographic characteristics (sex, age, education, religion, marital status, socioeconomic class, occupation) and psychiatric diagnoses. But the Risk-Rescue scores were significantly higher in high BHS group(BHS score ${geq}$ 9) than in low BHS group(BHS score <9) and positive correlation was observed between the BHS and the Risk-Rescue score(Rs=0.77 : p<0.05). These results suggest that level of hopelessness be a major risk factor for suicidal lethality.