On the 30th, political and religious figures visited the Jeju Air flight accident victims' joint memorial altar set up at Muan Sports Park in South Jeolla Province to pay their respects. Although the memorial altar was set up in Muan, a sparsely populated area, over 1,000 citizens visited to mourn the victims. The site is approximately 5 kilometers away in a straight line from Muan Airport where the accident occurred.
The joint memorial altar began receiving visitors at 11 a.m. that day. By 5:30 p.m., 1,640 people had visited. Among the 179 victims, the memorial tablets of 141 identified individuals were placed at the altar. Visitors expressed their condolences to the victims through floral tributes and silent prayers.
Starting with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, officials such as Choi Sang-mok, acting president and Minister of Strategy and Finance, Woo Won-shik, National Assembly Speaker, Jin Woo, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Kwon Young-se, People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, visited the joint memorial altar to express their condolences.
Acting president Choi wrote in the visitor's book, ‘We will remember the tragically deceased 179 individuals and devote all our efforts to creating a safer country.' Assembly speaker Woo left a message saying, ‘With a mournful heart, I offer my condolences. I pray for the rebirth of the victims in a peaceful afterlife.’
Leader Lee wrote ‘I pray for the victims of the tragedy to rest in peace,’ while Chairperson Kwon wrote, ‘I pray for the eternal rest of the 179 victims of this tragedy.’
After laying flowers, Monk Jin Woo remarked to reporters, “I extend my deep condolences to the bereaved families who are in despair and will share in their pain and sorrow,” and added, “Everyone living must completely establish measures to ensure that such unfortunate events never occur again.”
Condolences from ordinary citizens continued. Mr. Park (68), a resident of Muan, said, “I returned to Muan International Airport on the flight that had an accident on the 20th after finishing a package trip to Bangkok with my wife. This incident felt like my own, so I came to pay my respects,” wiping away tears.
Many people first visited Muan International Airport, where the accident occurred, before coming to the joint memorial altar. Four members of the local neighborhood watch in Muan volunteered at the international airport for eight hours starting at 8 a.m., before visiting the memorial altar. Kim Yong-hwan (48) said, “Because this happened in our area, I was deeply saddened and came to share the sorrow by volunteering and visiting the altar.”
From the neighboring region of Gwangju, Mr. Nature (59) first visited Muan Airport, then, after struggling to hold back tears, stated, “It would have been better if it hadn't happened, and I hope that the pain of the bereaved families is resolved quickly. As a citizen, I share in the grief.”
Employees from the Disaster Department of Jangheung County Office also visited the joint memorial altar to express their condolences. Jangheung County had reported that five residents were on the accident flight. Choi Yong-gil (59) said, “Before going to support at Muan International Airport, the employees came together to pay respects, and seeing the bereaved families brings tears and a heavy heart.”