In Seoul and Pusan, Cremation More Popular than Burial

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In Seoul and Pusan, Cremation More Popular than Burial

Cremation is rapidly expanding nationwide, lead by metropolitan centers. It was learned that in Seoul and Pusan, 51.9 percent of people chose cremation over other options. This is up 8.9 percent from 1999's 43.0 percent.

Also, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, nation wide this percent drops to 30.7 percent, but it is still a 2.9 percent increase from 1999. The percent by provinces and cities are as follows; Pusan at the top with 50.1 percent, Seoul, Ulsan, Inchon, Kyunggi followed at 43, 39.8, 38.8, and 36.2 percent, respectively. In many rural areas cremation stayed under 15 percent, showing Korean's bias view towards cremation.

The reason for this rapid increase can be attributed to the lack of spare lands for burial and many municipal governments' enthusiasm in supporting cremation.

by Kim Kwan-jong

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