| Title |
A Study on the Transformation of Cemetery Parks from 1945 to 1970 |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.11.181 |
| Keywords |
Cemetery Park; Urban Park; Urban Cemetery; Modernization; Industrialization; Ministry of Construction |
| Abstract |
This study aims to trace the formative history of cemetery parks in Korea prior to their official introduction after liberation. It seeks to
elucidate their chronological development and examine their characteristics as urban facilities. It also explores the reasons why, unlike in
other countries, these parks were located in remote suburban areas instead of within cities. Cemetery parks first appeared in early
19th-century Paris as a new form of urban cemetery. They offered public spaces for rest while maintaining a connection with the deceased.
In Korea, however, cemetery parks were first introduced during the Japanese colonial period. After liberation, they reemerged as part of
government-led modernization policies and took on functions different from those originally intended. To investigate how early cemetery parks
took root in Korea, this study analyzes archival documents from the National Archives along with contemporary newspaper articles. Based on
this analysis, the development is divided into four stages. The first stage, from 1945 to 1965, saw little active discussion or institutional
engagement. Although the idea was known, it was considered unsuitable for prevailing Korean burial customs. The second stage began in
1966, when the Ministry of Construction launched urban modernization efforts. This led to the conceptual emergence and initial construction
of cemetery parks. The third stage, from 1967 to 1968, involved active government promotion and public discussion on their significance.
The fourth stage, from 1969 to 1970, marked wider adoption. Private facilities were increasingly built, and the sale of burial plots became
more common. These findings show that cemetery parks in Korea followed a distinct developmental path. Unlike Western cases that
emphasized integration with urban life, Korean cemetery parks were used as tools for spatial regulation and modernization. The Ministry of
Construction’s directive to site them in “areas not expected to undergo urban development” reflects a clear policy of spatial separation. In
conclusion, this study reveals that cemetery parks in Korea were established on a different foundation than those in the West. It provides a
basis for future research into their unique form and meaning in the Korean context. |