Ministry of Gender Equality and Rights Commission Conduct Survey at National Idea Box from 17th to 28th
Intended to Eliminate Formalities but Seen as Outdated, Calls for Abolition Increase
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] 'The ritual subjects range from the head of the ritual (Jeju) to the second ancestor. The ritual is held on the day the ancestor passed away at the Jeju's household.'
The government is seeking public opinion on whether it is appropriate to maintain the "Family Rituals Act," which legally stipulates family ceremonies such as marriage, ancestral rites, and memorial services.
On the 16th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced that they will conduct a survey from the 17th to the 28th regarding the continuation of the Act on the Establishment and Support of Sound Family Rituals.
The survey will be conducted through the online public policy participation platform "National Thinking Box," and the results will be reflected in policy decisions on whether to maintain the Family Rituals Act.
The Sound Family Rituals Act is regarded as a virtually obsolete law, originally established in 1969 as the Family Rituals Act to eliminate empty formalities and curb waste, but later revised with ritual guidelines. It has been criticized for being outdated and excessively regulating personal life by stipulating details such as the order of wedding ceremonies, marriage vows, and ancestral rites, leading to calls for its abolition.
Article 2 of the Sound Family Rituals Act distinguishes ancestral rites into memorial services (Gije-sa) and memorial ceremonies (Charye), specifying that the subjects of Gije-sa are up to the second ancestor, and that the ritual should be held on the day the ancestor passed away at the Jeju's household. It also states that Charye should be held annually at the household of the eldest grandson during holidays.
Kim Kwon-young, Family Policy Officer at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "Through this survey, we aim to gather diverse public opinions on the Family Rituals Act and use it as basic data to promote family policies that align with changing awareness and the times."
Yang Jong-sam, Director of the Policy Improvement Bureau at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, stated, "This is a meaningful survey to determine whether there is a need to continue regulating personal family rituals by law," and added, "We hope that policy decisions will reflect the voices of diverse citizens by gender and age."
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