Candidate Lee Sangil Pauses Election Campaign to Attend Final Farewell for Marginalized Neighbors

Lee Sangil, Yongin Mayoral Candidate

Attends 'Joint Memorial Service for Unclaimed Deceased'

Honoring Lonely Deaths... Continuing to Walk with the Vulnerable

"Yongin's First-in-the-Nation Public Funerals, Hoped to Expand Nationwide"

Lee Sangil, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Yongin Special City, paused his busy campaign schedule to attend to the final journey of marginalized individuals, continuing his commitment to "walking alongside the vulnerable."

Lee Sangil, candidate for mayor of Yongin, attended the "1st Joint Memorial Service for Unclaimed Dead" held on the morning of the 9th at Yongin Peaceful Forest located in Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu. The photo shows the 2024 Yongin Special City Public Funeral Service Agreement Ceremony. Provided by candidate Lee Sangil. Photo by candidate Lee Sangil

On the morning of the 9th, Lee attended the "1st Joint Memorial Service for Unclaimed Deceased" held at Yongin Peaceful Forest in Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu. Organized and hosted by the Yongin Senior Haeoreum Volunteer Group and co-hosted by Yongin Baekryeongsa Temple, the event was arranged to pray for the souls of those who passed away without any next of kin and to uphold the minimum dignity they deserve as human beings.

In his remarks, Lee stated, "Our Yongin Special City was the first in the nation to begin holding funerals for those who died alone with no family, together with members of the Yongin Senior Haeoreum Volunteer Group and our supporters." He continued, "The city is also providing support by linking this work to senior employment programs, aiding volunteers who conduct public funerals for unclaimed deceased individuals."

Candidate Lee Sang-il for Mayor of Yongin attended the "1st Joint Memorial Ceremony for Unclaimed Deceased" held on the morning of the 9th at Yongin Pyeongon Forest located in Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu. Photo provided by candidate Lee Sang-il

Lee further said, "I pray for the souls of the deceased and wish to express my respect and gratitude to Director Kim Jaebin and the members of the Yongin Senior Haeoreum Volunteer Group for their dedicated efforts on behalf of unclaimed deceased individuals."

He particularly emphasized, "Other cities view the work Yongin is doing as commendable and beautiful, and are actively benchmarking our city's public burial system for unclaimed deceased. I hope that this initiative, which began here in Yongin, will spread nationwide so those who pass without family may find peace in heaven, and that memorial services like today’s will also be held elsewhere."

Lee Sang-il, candidate for mayor of Yongin, attended the "1st Joint Memorial Service for Unclaimed Deceased" held on the morning of the 9th at Yonginpyeongon Forest located in Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu. The photo shows the public funeral service business agreement ceremony of Yongin Special City held in 2024. Provided by candidate Lee Sang-il.

Meanwhile, during his previous term as mayor last year, Lee established a system to ensure proper funerals for unclaimed deceased, including those who died in solitude, by signing a "Public Funeral Promotion Business Agreement" with local funeral homes. Prior to this, Yongin City had also enacted an ordinance to support public funerals for unclaimed deceased, thereby providing a legal basis for such support.

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