Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae, Urges 'Eradication of Plastic Flowers in National Cemeteries'

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik: "We Will Actively Consider It"

Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, met with Park Minsik, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, on the 29th to propose the introduction of a ‘Policy to Eradicate Plastic Artificial Flowers in National Cemeteries.’

According to the city on the 30th, Gimhae City was the first in the nation to promote a policy to eradicate plastic artificial flowers in park cemeteries.

Currently, related legislation such as the amendment to the Resource Recycling Act has been proposed twice in the National Assembly, but both bills have failed to pass the relevant committee reviews.

The city emphasized the necessity of implementation in national cemeteries, which account for 20% of all burial sites nationwide, and requested the attention of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam (left), is meeting with Park Min-sik, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, to propose the introduction of a policy to eradicate plastic artificial flowers in national cemeteries.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

Mayor Hong stated, “For the environment and future generations, our city and local private park cemeteries are first implementing the eradication of plastic artificial flowers,” adding, “If this policy is actively implemented in national cemeteries, I am confident it will lead to a shift in public awareness and rapid nationwide spread.”

He continued, “For the sake of honoring the noble patriotism of our fallen heroes, plastic artificial flowers, which are harmful to the environment and entirely imported, must disappear from national cemeteries.”

In response, Minister Park said, “The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs strives to honor the patriotic spirit of our fallen heroes and veterans,” and added, “We will actively consider the introduction and implementation of the plastic artificial flower eradication policy proposed by Gimhae City so that those who contributed to the nation and society and their descendants can take pride in Korea.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.