Marking the first anniversary of the Jeju Air passenger jet disaster that occurred at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29 last year, memorial events bringing together the government and bereaved families will be held nationwide starting on the 20th.
On the 18th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it will promote first-anniversary memorial events together with the council of bereaved families of the 12/29 Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger jet disaster. The memorial events, under the theme "Remember 12/29," will include a citizens' memorial rally, bereaved family events, public participation programs, and an official memorial ceremony.
The events will begin on the 20th with a nationwide citizens' memorial rally in front of Bosingak in Seoul. Then, on the 27th, a Gwangju and South Jeolla residents' memorial rally will be held at the May 18 Democracy Square in Gwangju.
A separate schedule has been prepared for bereaved families. On the 24th, a "night for bereaved families" will be held at Muan International Airport, and on the 28th, a "night of remembrance" event will take place. A "memorial bus" tour in which bereaved families travel through major cities nationwide to share the meaning of the disaster is also included.
Memorial spaces open to the public will also operate. From the 22nd to the 29th, digital altars will be set up at major transportation hubs and local governments, including Gimpo and Incheon airports, Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Gwangju Songjeong Station, and the South Jeolla Provincial Office. At Muan International Airport, there will be a pilgrimage program retracing the accident site and exhibitions of photos and records.
The official first-anniversary memorial ceremony will be held on the morning of the 29th at Muan International Airport. At 9:03 a.m., the time the disaster occurred, a one-minute memorial siren will sound across Gwangju and South Jeolla, followed by flower offerings, a memorial video screening, and a memorial performance.
Kim Yun-duk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "This memorial is not just about remembering the victims; it is a moment to pledge that such a tragedy will never be repeated," adding, "We will use this as an opportunity to reestablish the basics of aviation safety."