What happened?

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs said on October 18, 2026, that it has found 1,740 people who died between January 2023 and May 2026 and were placed in burial facilities outside national cemeteries without receiving usage fee support. According to the ministry, these were national merit recipients or similar individuals whose families were never told about the support.

Why were families missing out?

The fee support system was introduced in 2023, but many families did not know it existed. The ministry said the gap was the main reason for the missed payments. To find the cases, it worked with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

How much support will families get?

Eligible families will receive information about the support and how to apply. The ministry will reimburse the usage fees they actually paid, up to 1 million won.

What did the minister say?

Minister Kwon Oh-eul said that honoring national merit recipients should not end at their lifetime. He said the government will proactively look for families who need help and guide them to the support they are entitled to.

For international fans

This story is mainly about South Korea's veterans welfare policy rather than entertainment. It shows how the government is trying to extend support to the families of deceased veterans, a topic that often comes up in Korean public life.