More than 75 percent of Koreans who died last year were cremated, a fourfold increase from 20 years ago, a government survey found.

According to the Health Ministry, 76.9 percent of those who died last year were cremated, compared to only 19.1 percent in 1993.

The country’s lack of burial sites and their expensive cost, as well as the convenience and efficiency of cremation are some of the major reasons behind the increase, according to the ministry.

Major cities and the Seoul metropolitan area had cremation rates of over 80 percent, led by Busan with 89.2 percent.

Meanwhile, South Chungcheong Province had the lowest cremation rate at 59.3 percent, while Jejudo Island had the second-lowest at 59.9 percent.

The ministry predicts that the country’s cremation rate will eventually reach 80 percent in the next two to three years.

A total of 11 municipalities currently do not have cremation sites, including Jangheung in South Jeolla Province and Yeongyang in North Gyeongsang Province, according to the ministry. Jangheung had the lowest cremation rate among all municipalities in South Korea, at 31.5 percent.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)