The First General Buried in a 1-Pyeong Burial Plot

Students Volunteering at Daejeon National Cemetery

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] For the first time, a general's grave measuring 3.3㎡ (1 pyeong) was interred in the soldiers' burial area at the National Daejeon National Cemetery.

According to government authorities on the 19th, Reserve Air Force Brigadier General A was interred on the 5th in the 'soldiers' burial area' at Daejeon National Cemetery. The soldiers' burial area does not distinguish between generals or enlisted soldiers, and the grave size is standardized at 3.3㎡.

Originally, a general's grave was 26.4㎡ (8 pyeong). However, the generals' burial area reached full capacity on the 27th of last month, leaving no more space for graves. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs established a new 'soldiers' burial area' at Daejeon National Cemetery, integrating generals and soldiers in preparation for the full capacity of the generals' burial area. Graves are allocated sequentially by date of death without dividing by status, each at 3.3㎡ in size.

As many retired generals wish to be interred at Daejeon National Cemetery but space is limited, this measure was devised. The National Cemetery Act enacted in 2005 included a temporary provision that the burial method and grave size would follow existing laws until the generals' burial area was full. With the area now full, this temporary measure has ended and the new system has been implemented.

Chae Myung-shin (Reserve Lieutenant General), the first commander of the Korean Army in South Vietnam who passed away in 2013, was also buried in a 3.3㎡ grave in the enlisted soldiers' burial area at the National Seoul National Cemetery according to his will. However, A is the first to be buried in a 3.3㎡ grave under the current regulations.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated, "Since a burial gap is expected until the opening of the new columbarium at Daejeon National Cemetery (April 2021), integrated burial of generals and soldiers will be implemented in the newly established 7th burial area," adding, "For the newly established burial area, interment will be at 3.3㎡ in accordance with Article 12 of the National Cemetery Act."

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