Long-term Serving Police Officers and Firefighters Also to Be Buried in National Cemetery... Amendment to Be Promulgated on the 27th

From now on, police officers and firefighters who have served for more than 30 years will also be buried in the National Cemetery for Patriots and Veterans.

According to the National Police Agency on the 27th, the amendment to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of National Cemeteries containing this provision was promulgated on the same day. As a result, about 1,700 retired police officers will be able to be buried in the national cemetery.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Until now, soldiers could be buried in the National Cemetery for Patriots and Veterans after serving for more than 10 years upon discharge, and in the National Cemetery for the Fallen Heroes after serving for more than 20 years upon discharge. However, police officers and firefighters could only be buried in the national cemetery if they died in the line of duty, were killed in action, or died from injuries sustained.

The National Police Agency has actively pursued consultations with related organizations to grant long-serving police officers the qualification to be buried in the national cemetery, based on reasons such as △ performing emergency duties during various national events and disasters, with rank retirement age in place, making their duties similar to those of the military △ facing various risks in the field of public safety, including criminal investigations and apprehension of suspects.

President Yoon Seok-yeol emphasized the respect for uniformed public officials and specifically instructed to actively consider expanding the scope of burial in the national cemetery to include police officers and firefighters who have devoted themselves to public safety. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has also been discussing the establishment of burial criteria in the national cemetery since September 2022 by forming a working-level consultative body.

Upon the announcement of the amendment, current and former police officers welcomed it with open arms. The National Police Workplace Council stated, “Granting police officers the qualification to be buried in the national cemetery as uniformed public officials who protect the country and the safety of the people has been a long-standing wish of field police officers,” and added, “We are pleased that the honor of police officers who have devoted themselves to public safety for a long time has finally been restored.”

A National Police Agency official said, “We are glad to achieve a result that responds to the passion and dedication of police officers who have served for a long time under dangerous conditions,” and added, “Using this amendment as a milestone, we will not only further expand the qualifications for burial in the national cemetery but also strive to enhance welfare systems so that all colleagues serving as police officers can work with pride and a sense of mission.”

Meanwhile, this amendment is scheduled to take effect on February 28 of next year.

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