June 6th marks the nation's 64th Memorial Day.

However, about 3,000 bodies of fallen soldiers who fought during the Korean War wasn’t buried at the National Cemetery due to lack of space.

President Moon Jae-in promises to complete creation of the Jeju National Cemetery by 2021.

Todd Thacker reports.

After years of delays, construction at Jeju National Cemetery is finally building momentum.

[slug] ₩5.26 B to be spent for constructing Jeju National Cemetery

The cemetery will sit on 270,000 square meters of land at the Patriot Cemetery in Nohyeong-dong, Jeju City. The project has a budget of over 52 billion won.

[slug] Planning permission, land expropriation issues caused delays

Plans for the national cemetery were initially drafted in 2012. But due to the difficulties in expropriating planned site, there were delays in securing planning permission and the expropriation of land.

[slug] Land use approval, securing building permits are the next steps

The plans were approved last year by the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee and private land at the site was purchased.

Now all that remains is administrative approval for the use of forest land and the issuing of building permits.

INTERVIEW
Jang Dae-hyeon / Jeju Regional Office of Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs
Jeju National Cemetery can accommodate the 3,000 fallen soldiers. This is the least the nation can do to show respect for their sacrifice.
[인터뷰 장대현 / 제주도보훈청 보훈과장 ]
"국립묘지가 조성되면 참전유공자들을 모두 안장할 수 있기 때문에 그 분들의 소원을 들어드리는 국가가 마지막 가시는 길에 예우를 다하는..."

[slug] National budget secured

At the national level, funding for the cemetery has also been secured.

[slug] President reaffirms commitment to cemetery's construction
President Moon Jae-in invited people of national merit and families of patriots and veterans to the presidential residence for a Memorial Day lunch.

At the gathering, he reaffirmed his promise to complete Jeju National Cemetery.

[slug] Patriot Cemetery in Jeju City: 74% full

The Patriot Cemetery in Jeju City, which was built in 1982, has 1,500 plots. The remains of 1,115 people are laid there, which means it is currently 74 percent full.

[slug] 3,000 fallen soldiers to be laid to rest at Jeju National Cemetery

About 3,000 fallen soldiers who fought in the Korean War were buried elsewhere for lack of space at the Patriot Cemetery.

Once the 10,000-plot Jeju National Cemetery is complete, the remains of these fallen soldiers will be moved to their final resting place.

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

As preparation for creation of the cemetery goes smoothly, long-time wish of bereaved families of fallen soldiers and patriots will be likely fulfilled in a couple of years.

Todd Thacker, KCTV