Daegu City Expands Myungbok Park Cremators by 5 Units... Building Underground, Surface Becomes Park

Modernization Project Completion in 2027

Daegu City will officially launch the modernization project of Daegu Myeongbok Park, a long-awaited local project, on the 31st.

The basic direction (draft) of the modernization project includes fully underground buildings, creating nature-friendly spaces such as walking paths, resting areas, and sports facilities above ground, increasing the number of cremators (from 11 to 16), expanding the waiting rooms for bereaved families (from 3 to 15 rooms), installing convenience facilities such as restaurants and cafes, expanding parking lots, and widening access roads.

Daegu Myeongbok Park Modernization Project Bird's-eye View.

To promote the project, Daegu City has reflected the administrative procedure service costs, including the establishment of the basic plan, in the 2024 budget. After conducting feasibility studies, central investment reviews, and obtaining approval for changes to the development restriction zone management plan, construction is planned to begin in the first half of 2026, aiming for completion in 2027.

Once the modernization project is completed, the inconvenience faced by citizens who had to use crematories in other cities or hold funerals lasting 4 to 5 days due to a shortage of cremation facilities will be completely resolved. Additionally, the expansion of waiting rooms for bereaved families and convenience facilities such as restaurants and cafes is expected to significantly increase citizen satisfaction.

Our society is experiencing a rapid increase in cremation demand due to population aging and the spread of cremation culture. However, there are only 62 cremation facilities nationwide, causing regional and seasonal supply-demand imbalances, making the expansion of cremators extremely urgent.

The number of deaths and cremation demand among Daegu citizens is also increasing annually, with the cremation rate rising from 51.5% in 2005 to 91.6% in 2022. However, even if the number of cremation sessions is regularly increased from 9 to 10 times starting next year due to the shortage of cremators, cremation demand is expected to exceed Myeongbok Park’s maximum operating capacity within 2 to 3 years.

The number of days when Myeongbok Park cremates the maximum daily capacity of 45 bodies has also increased. The number of Daegu citizens who could not make reservations at Myeongbok Park and used nearby cremation facilities reached 716 cases in 2022 and 367 cases as of the end of July 2023. In particular, last year, due to COVID-19, the cremation rate on the third day dropped to 14.2%, and citizens experienced the inconvenience of holding funerals lasting up to 7 days.

Moreover, Myeongbok Park has been operating at its current location since 1966 for 57 years. Compared to facilities in Seoul, Daejeon (2011), Ulsan (2013), and Incheon (2003), the facilities are severely aged, and only three waiting rooms for bereaved families are in operation, resulting in a severe lack of convenience facilities.

In the 3rd Comprehensive Plan for Funeral Facility Supply and Demand (2023?2027) announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare this year, it was analyzed that large cities with high population densities such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, and Daegu require new or expanded cremation facilities considering the number of deaths and aging rates.

Daegu City has attempted to modernize Myeongbok Park several times since 2007 due to the rapid increase in cremation demand, aging facilities, and lack of convenience facilities, but the project faced difficulties due to negative perceptions of funeral facilities.

Accordingly, to analyze conflict factors and prepare conflict resolution measures regarding the modernization of Myeongbok Park, a conflict management research service was conducted from December last year to July this year. Additionally, listening sessions were held twice per district from May to June with residents of nearby areas including Gomo-dong, Manchon 2-dong, and Manchon 3-dong.

During the listening sessions, under the neutral facilitation of conflict experts, Daegu City first explained the current status of cremation demand, the necessity of the modernization project, and its basic direction, followed by a Q&A session. Then, time was allocated to gather residents’ opinions and facilitate communication.

Daegu City plans to address residents’ long-standing requests by opening urban planning roads in Gomo-dong and promoting residential area zoning upgrades in Manchon 2-dong. Specific support measures will be continuously discussed with Suseong District Office.

Mayor Hong Jun-pyo stated, “Considering the rapidly increasing cremation demand and citizen inconveniences, the modernization of Myeongbok Park cannot be delayed any longer. We will develop Myeongbok Park into the nation’s best funeral facility, transforming it from a dreaded place into a healing space where people can find comfort and overcome the pain of farewell. We ask for the citizens’ active interest and cooperation.”

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