Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young Inspects Yeunhwajang Facility Improvement Construction Site

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young visited the Yeunhwajang facility improvement construction site in Hadong, Paldal-gu, Suwon on the 16th to inspect the progress of the project.

The Yeunhwajang facility that Mayor Yeom visited on this day began construction in May of last year for facility improvements, and will undergo renovation of aging facilities, expansion of funeral service facilities, and construction of new enshrinement facilities.

The improvement project is being carried out in two phases. Phase 1, which aims for reopening on June 28th, will include the expansion of funeral parlors and memorial halls' ritual rooms, and the renovation of the underground parking lot. Phase 2, scheduled for completion in November, will include the construction of enshrinement and cultural facilities, the expansion of the crematory, and civil engineering and landscaping works.

Once the facility improvement project is completed, the number of funeral parlor rooms will increase from 10 to 12 rooms (total floor area of 7,968㎡). All parlor rooms will be equipped with family waiting lounges, dedicated restrooms, and shower facilities.

Meanwhile, Yeunhwajang, which opened on January 15, 2001, is Korea's first comprehensive funeral facility that includes not only cremation facilities (crematory) but also funeral parlors and memorial spaces (enshrinement hall). It was designed as a "bright and dignified space" that breaks away from the dark and somber atmosphere of existing crematories and funeral parlors. This facility improvement project is being conducted for the first time in 20 years since its opening.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young said, "Improve the bus turnaround space and bus waiting areas so that citizens can conveniently use Yeunhwajang," and "Establish the indoor enshrinement facilities using the latest methods." He added, "Create a cultural space where cafes and exhibitions can be held, so that Yeunhwajang becomes a place where citizens can comfortably visit at any time."