[2025 Unclaimed Deaths Report ⑥] "No Longer Someone Else's Problem... Urgent Need for National Statistics"

"Unclaimed Deaths Are a Structural Issue... Rapidly Increasing"
"Numerous Errors in Local Government Statistics, Hindering Policy Development"

"Now, anyone can become an unaccompanied deceased. This is no longer a story limited to the poor or marginalized groups."

Kim Minseok, Secretary General of Nanum and Nanum, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the office in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Kim Minseok, Secretary General of Nanum and Nanum, emphasized in a recent interview with The Asia Business Daily at the office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, that we are all 'potential unaccompanied deceased.' He explained that the rise in single-person households, DINKs (dual income, no kids), and the spread of non-marital lifestyles are leading to more cases where the traditional family-centered funeral system no longer functions. Nanum and Nanum is a nonprofit organization supporting the final moments of unaccompanied deceased individuals in Seoul.

Kim explained, "Funerals are usually arranged by a spouse or children, but for single-person households or those without children, it becomes daunting." He added, "Even if there is a spouse, there are many elderly couples who, due to advanced age, are unable to handle funeral arrangements." He continued, "People often assume that a nephew or niece can take care of the funeral if there are no children, but under current law, nephews and nieces cannot serve as the primary funeral arranger, and in some cases, they may not even be notified of the death."

The increase in unaccompanied deaths is being felt acutely on the ground. Kim said, "When I first started this work, we handled about one funeral per weekday, but now we are serving five to six people per day, including weekends." He pointed out, "There will come a time when the Seoul City Crematorium, which is dedicated to handling funerals for unaccompanied deceased in Seoul, will not be able to cope. Therefore, it is urgent to prepare countermeasures, such as opening additional memorial facilities and increasing staff."

Kim Minseok, Secretary General of Nanum and Nanum, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the office in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

He expressed concern about the prevailing social atmosphere of not preparing for death. Kim said, "People devote a lot of attention to life, but when it comes to their own funerals, they only think vaguely without any concrete plans." He added, "By treating death as a taboo and failing to prepare, people end up entrusting all procedures to funeral companies, paying for their services, and end up having a conventional funeral without any real choice."

Kim advised, "If we think of funerals as our last act and a final consideration for those left behind, and if we discuss and record our funeral preferences with those around us in advance, we can avoid being swept up by market forces and have enough time to mourn and say goodbye with friends and acquaintances." He continued, "It is important to seek alternative funeral options in this way so that unaccompanied deaths do not occur."

He identified the urgent need to establish accurate national statistics. Currently, unaccompanied deceased are managed by each local government, which often leads to omissions or errors. Kim pointed out, "Officially, there were 1,365 unaccompanied deaths in Seoul, but Nanum and Nanum actually handled 1,391 cases, indicating flaws in the statistics."

Kim Minseok, Secretary General of Nanum and Nanum, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the office in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

He said, "If the statistics are inadequate, we cannot determine whether the deceased was truly without family, whether there was a family but they refused to claim the body, or whether the refusal was due to financial reasons or a severed relationship." He emphasized, "A unified national statistical system is necessary to accurately analyze the causes and establish effective policies."

Kim also suggested improving the terminology. He said, "Among unaccompanied deceased, there are many cases where there actually are relatives, but funerals cannot be arranged due to severed relationships." He added, "Considering the stigma attached to the term 'unaccompanied,' there should be a social discussion about alternative terms that better describe these deaths in the long run."