Police Officers and Firefighters with Over 30 Years of Service to Be Buried at National Cemetery

Eligibility to Be Determined Through Review
in Cases of Disciplinary Actions or Misconduct During Service

From now on, police officers and firefighters who have dedicated many years to protecting the lives and safety of the people will also be eligible for burial in national cemeteries.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on the 27th that the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of National Cemeteries," which allows police officers and firefighters who have served for more than 30 years and retired upon reaching retirement age to be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery, will be enforced starting the 28th after a one-year preparation period.

Accordingly, from the 28th onward, when eligible police officers or firefighters pass away, their bereaved families can apply for burial at the desired National Memorial Cemetery (Yeongcheon, Imsil, Icheon, Sancheong, Goesan, Jeju Memorial Cemetery) through the National Cemetery Burial Application System.

However, considering the honor of the national cemetery and public expectations, if the police officer or firefighter has disciplinary actions or misconduct determined by a presidential decree during their service period, the Burial Eligibility Review Committee will review and decide on their eligibility for burial.

In particular, over the past year, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has continuously consulted with related ministries to specify the scope of disciplinary actions or misconduct subject to burial review. These include demotion, suspension, or pay reduction disciplinary actions under the National Public Service Act, and cases where the public official was sentenced to a fine or higher penalty during their service and the sentence has been finalized.

Kang Jeong-ae, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated, “We will ensure thorough respect and honor for police officers and firefighters who have devoted many years to protecting the lives, safety, and property of the people, and we will also make every effort to provide proper honors for burial in national cemeteries.”