Three Urns Damaged by Flooding at Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery

Baek Seungah Raises Concerns Over "Water Accumulation" Damaging Urns at Four National Cemeteries
Allegations of Concealment by Cemetery Authorities Also Pointed Out

Seungah Baek, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Amid the recent issue of water accumulation damaging urns at national cemeteries, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is preparing a comprehensive countermeasure. It has been officially confirmed that urns have been damaged by flooding at several national cemeteries across the country, including the Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery.

According to data on "Urn Damage (Water Accumulation Incidents) Since 2021" submitted by Seungah Baek, proportional representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on September 8, urns were damaged by water accumulation in 7 cases at 4 out of 12 national cemeteries nationwide.

By cemetery, there was 1 case at the Daejeon National Cemetery, 3 cases at the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, 2 cases at the Yeongcheon National Cemetery, and 1 case at the Imsil National Cemetery. The damage occurred during the process of joint burial with a spouse or relocation of remains outside the cemetery.

There have also been allegations that cemetery authorities attempted to conceal the damage caused by water accumulation from the bereaved families. In response, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated, "We explained the situation to the families and provided guidance, and after drying the urns, either handed them over or reburied them. We plan to establish comprehensive measures through on-site inspections, expert consultations, and collecting opinions at the national cemeteries."

Baek emphasized, "We owe our present to the sacrifices of independence activists and national patriots. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs must recognize the seriousness of this situation and develop fundamental measures to prevent further damage to urns, with special attention and care."