PM visits Jeju Air crash site, seeks to comfort bereaved families

On Thursday, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook journeyed to the site of a 2024 plane crash to extend condolences to the families of the 179 victims and express her sympathy for their immense loss. At a gathering with grieving relatives at Muan International Airport, situated approximately 290 kilometers south of Seoul, where the Jeju Air aircraft belly-landed and subsequently crashed into a concrete mount, setting ablaze on December 29, 2024, Prime Minister Han conveyed her profound sorrow. "It is difficult to fathom the ordeal you have endured," she expressed with empathy.

Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Prime Minister Han highlighted the importance of identifying the precise cause of the crash. She emphasized that relocating the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board from the land ministry to her office is aimed at ensuring the investigation's independence and impartiality. The bereaved families' foremost desire, she acknowledged, is to ascertain the exact cause of the disaster.

Prime Minister Han also paid homage to the victims by placing a flower at the mourning altar erected at the airport. The recovery of the victims' remains and personal belongings remains an ongoing endeavor. The government continues to work diligently to address the pressing needs of the bereaved families and provide support during this devastating time.