Yangju City "Will Accept if Alternative Site for Regional Crematorium is Proposed Within 6 Months"

Statement on the ‘Yangju-si Joint Comprehensive Funeral Facility Construction Project’

Regarding the construction of the joint-type comprehensive funeral facility in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Yangju City has proposed to the city council to suggest alternative sites.

A view of Yangju City Hall. Provided by Yangju City.

Yangju City Council stated during the review of this year's main budget last month that "while cremation facilities are necessary for the region, the site needs to be reconsidered."

In response, Yangju City issued a statement on the 8th demanding "to present a better alternative site compared to the current site in Bangseong 1-ri within six months at the earliest."

In Mayor Kang Su-hyun's statement, he emphasized the urgency and necessity of installing the comprehensive funeral facility, explaining that after various discussions and decisions, the Bangseong 1-ri area was finally selected as the site in December 2023. However, he also expressed regret but an open mind toward the current demands for site reconsideration raised by some.

◇Full text of the statement

Our Yangju City is promoting the ‘Yangju City Joint-Type Comprehensive Funeral Facility Construction Project’ to resolve the imminent cremation crisis and the inconvenience of traveling for cremation. As of the end of 2022, the cremation rate in Yangju City was 95.7%.

The cremation rate, which was less than half 20 years ago, has surged sharply over the past 10 years, and we have experienced significant inconvenience from traveling for cremation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At one point last year, the cremation rate on the third day barely exceeded 50%.

This means that 50% of citizens who held funerals had four-day or five-day funerals.

Unless we return to burial culture, there is no realistic alternative other than constructing new cremation facilities.

To address these issues, I pledged the construction of cremation facilities during the last election and was chosen by the citizens. We officially started the project by forming the Comprehensive Funeral Facility Construction Promotion Committee (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’).

We asked whether private investment would be better or if it should be promoted jointly with neighboring cities, requesting “to discuss all matters related to the funeral facility, including site selection procedures and the scale of resident support projects,” and said, “We will follow the Committee’s decision,” which has been implemented accordingly.

After various discussions and decisions, the Bangseong 1-ri area was finally selected as the site in December 2023, and a feasibility study is currently being conducted by the Local Administration Research Institute according to related services and procedures.

The six cities jointly promoting the project are in the final stages of signing an investment agreement.

At this point, one year later, the demand for site reconsideration is very regrettable and physically difficult.

Understanding and concessions from the citizens of the relevant area, including Bangseong 1-ri, who are the targets of the resident support project, must come first.

The opinions of the Committee, which has deliberated and decided on all matters for the construction promotion so far, are also important, and there will be criticism regarding waste of public funds due to costs already incurred.

For the five cities jointly promoting the project, which are in the final stages of signing the joint investment agreement based on Bangseong 1-ri, the decline in administrative trust with numerous related agencies such as the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of Health and Welfare, with whom various consultations have been conducted, is also a significant issue.

However, as mayor, I believe opposing opinions must also be valued. I think we need to consider why there is opposition and what the demands of those opposing are.

Fortunately, the majority of Yangju City Council members agree that while they do not oppose the cremation facility itself, site reconsideration is necessary. Therefore, I would like to propose the following.

Please present a better alternative site compared to the Bangseong 1-ri site within six months at the earliest.

This is to avoid the imminent cremation crisis and to ensure that the originally planned opening in 2030 proceeds without disruption.

If there is an alternative site to propose, it must have the consent of more than 60% of the residents of the relevant administrative village or neighborhood and be an area suitable for joint promotion (approximately 500,000 square meters at the time of announcement). There will be numerous comparison factors such as access road environment, shielding and concealment, consultations with military units, and development feasibility.

Also, please seek understanding and cooperation from the residents of the announced areas for the resident support project, including those in Bangseong 1-ri. If there is a suitable alternative that can replace Bangseong 1-ri, we will gladly accept it.

Finally, I would like to address the citizens.

There are 62 cremation facilities nationwide. It is not true that operating cremation facilities causes environmental pollution or lowers real estate prices.

We are promoting this because it is absolutely necessary and because it is very inconvenient without it, not to cause disadvantages to citizens.

The same applies to nearby Gwangju City, Pyeongtaek City, Yangpyeong County, and Yeoncheon County. If there are concerns, we will discuss them thoroughly and find alternatives.

Even in our city, there have been several attempts to build such facilities in the past.

Each time, there were major conflicts and social costs had to be paid.

However, since the vast majority of people cremate, we must prepare for the imminent cremation crisis and start building facilities today to prepare for tomorrow. Thank you.