History in Details

Seoul National Cemetery was established to worship patriots, patriotic martyrs and the souls of all the fallen heroes and the war dead who had participated actively during the Japanese Empire invasion, Korean War and Vietnam War on June 15th 1955. The burial capacity of the cemetery has reached to its limits. The former president Park Chung Hee ordered the defense ministry to put the ideas for another national cemetery and finally designated this site for the construction of Daejeon National Cemetery in the current location of Gapdong-ri, Yuseong-eup, Daedeok-gun, Chungnam(currently 251 Hyeonchungwonno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon) on April 14th 1976. After the decision for this site, the Minister of National Defense organized the Committee of the Second National Cemetery Establishment Preparations on May 11th 1976. They started to construct in earnest on April 1st 1979 and completed the total size of approximately 3,300,000 m2 of Daejeon National Cemetery on November 13th 1985. During the construction, the first burial was done on August 27th 1982. Daejeon National Cemetery has enshrined patriotic martyrs and the souls of all the fallen heroes and the war dead who died gloriously for Korea and the Koreans so that they has been worshipped for their distinguished achievements in their lifetimes. The authorities in charge of Daejeon National Cemetery has been changed to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in the wake of the enforcement of ‘Act on Establishment and Management of the National Cemetery’.

Timeline

• 2010's

  • 2013. 06. 27

    Publishing a tribute album “With Loving Memories”

  • 2013. 06. 13

    The creation of sculptures to promote patriotism

  • 2013. 06. 03

    Sponsoring IBK (Industrial Bank of Korea) visitors to the DNC

  • 2013. 05. 30

    The opening of the Memorial Railroad Center

  • 2013. 04. 17

    The expansion of gravesites

  • 2013. 04. 01

    Volunteer work at Guamsa (Guam Temple)

  • 2012. 07. 02

    The opening of the Memorial Railroad Exhibition Center

  • 2012. 06. 01

    The founding of “Mailbox to Heaven”

  • 2012. 05. 09

    The establishment of the “Graveyard for Firefighters”

  • 2012. 03. 15

    The ground-breaking ceremony for the graveyard expansion

  • 2012. 02. 13

    The opening of DNC’s official Facebook page

  • 2012. 02. 10

    The building of the Fine Pine Tree Walkway

  • 2011. 12. 19
    • The creation of mugunghwa topiary
    • The first burial of a postman who died in the line of duty
      (the late Mr. Cha Sun-woo)
  • 2011. 11. 01

    The establishment of the Taegeukgi (national flag of Korea) Garden

  • 2011. 07. 08
    • The fourth and final stage of public footpath surrounding graveyards and roads completed
    • Pavilion for Patriotic Spirit completed
  • 2011. 06. 10

    Change of Honor Guards started

  • 2011. 06. 06
    • Roll Calls for 50 Selected War Dead by Dignitaries during the 56th Memorial Day Ceremony
    • Roll Calls for 12,420 War Dead for the First Time
  • 2011. 03. 26

    1st Memorial Ceremony for the 46 Heroic Sailors being Held at Memorial Service Plaza with President Lee Myung-bak on hand.

  • 2011. 02. 18

    Record of the Largest Burial Sites (54,447) over that of Seoul National Cemetery (54,443)

  • 2011. 02. 14

    Start of Public Relations of Anytime Worship at the Memorial Tower for Public Offices, Civic Organizations, Major Enterprises

  • 2010. 11. 28

    Start of Daily Burial Services even on Public Holidays

  • 2010. 11. 06

    Opening the 3rd Stage of Patriotic Footpath

  • 2010. 10. 30

    Getting the First and Grand Prize of Real Experience Variety Programs for All the Patriots and Veterans Offices

  • 2010. 04. 29

    Burial for the 46 Heroic Sailors of ROK Navy Warship Cheonan in the 3rd Graveyard for Servicemembers

  • 2010. 01. 01

    First publication of Monthly Bulletin, "Open Cemetery and Bright Cemetery"

• 2000's

  • 2009. 12. 31

    Publishing the 30th Anniversary History Book, "The Way to the Holy Land for Patriotic Spirit"

  • 2009. 12. 16

    Opening the 2nd Stage of Patriotic Footpath

  • 2009. 07. 01

    Launching of the Honor Guard

  • 2007. 09. 21

    Opening the 1st Stage of Patriotic Footpath

  • 2007. 04. 26

    First Burial for the Righteous Persons

  • 2006. 10. 26

    First burial for the late President Choe Kyu Ha

  • 2006. 03. 03

    Start of Daily Burial Services

  • 2006. 01. 30

    Transfer of overall supervision to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

  • 2005. 11. 30

    Completion of the Graveyard for Servicemembers

  • 2004. 09. 21

    Completion of the Graveyard for Heads of State

  • 2003. 05. 14
    • Extension of space for the War Dead without their bodies
    • Completion of the 2nd Graveyard for Generals and Admirals
  • 2001. 07. 20

    Completion of the 3rd Graveyard for Patriots

• 1990’s

  • 1996. 06. 01

    Official Name changed to Daejeon National Cemetery

  • 1994. 12. 06

    First Burial for firefighters

  • 1993. 08. 31

    Completion of the 2nd Graveyard for Patriots

  • 1991. 03. 28

    Promotion in status to Daejeon National Cemetery Managing Office

• 1980’s

  • 1989. 10. 23

    First Burial for National and Social Contributors

  • 1987. 04. 06

    First Burial for Patriots

  • 1986. 11. 07

    First Burial for Generals and Admirals

  • 1985. 11. 13

    Completion of Daejeon National Cemetery

  • 1985. 02. 28

    First Burial for Officers and Policel Officers

  • 1982. 08. 27

    First Burial for Non-Commissoned Officers

• 1970’s

  • 1979. 08. 29

    Establishment of Daejeon branch office of National Cemetery Managing Office (the no. 9581 “executive orders”)

  • 1979. 04. 01

    Start of the construction of Daejeon National Cemetery

  • 1976. 04. 14

    Location of Daejeon National Cemetery finalized

  • 1974. 12. 16

    First Proposal on another major national cemetery by President