Political Circles United Amid Internal Conflict... "Must Exert All Efforts for Life-Saving" (Comprehensive)

Chairman Woo Won-sik: "Please Do Your Best Centered on Acting Chief Choi Sang-mok"
Ruling and Opposition Leaders United in Urging Rescue Efforts

The ruling and opposition parties on the 29th urged that every effort be made to rescue lives in connection with the aircraft disaster that occurred at Muan Airport in Jeonnam, and promised full political support to manage the situation.

On the same day, Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, posted on social media regarding the aircraft runway excursion accident at Muan Airport in Jeonnam, stating, "The National Assembly will also find what it must do and provide maximum support." Speaker Woo said, "Right now, rescuing lives is the top priority," and added, "Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, along with all related ministries, should do their best."

On the morning of the 9th, an aircraft landing at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do veered off the runway and collided with the outer fence wall. The photo shows the fire department conducting a rescue operation at the accident site. Photo by Yonhap News

On that day in Jeonnam Muan, a Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed while attempting to land on the runway at Muan International Airport. There were a total of 181 people on board, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members. Of the 175 passengers, 173 were Korean, and the remaining 2 were tentatively classified as Thai nationals. The fire authorities completed initial extinguishing and proceeded with rescue operations. Currently, 2 people have been rescued, and 47 fatalities have been confirmed. According to videos from the time of the accident, it is presumed that the passenger plane attempted a belly landing without lowering the landing gear, which led to the accident.

The political circles urged utmost efforts in life rescue and the safety of rescue personnel. Kwon Young-se, the nominated Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said on social media, "I hope the relevant ministries and authorities will thoroughly carry out life rescue and accident management according to procedures and disaster response systems," and added, "The ruling party will also actively cooperate with the government to do its best in managing the situation and preventing recurrence."

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, said, "The relevant ministries must work closely with Jeonnam Province and prioritize life rescue," and added, "All available equipment and personnel must be mobilized, and through accurate passenger verification, every single person must be accounted for without fail." He also added, "Please ensure the utmost safety of the rescue team members."

Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, also stated on social media, "I hope the fire authorities will do their best to save even one more person." This was his first post on social media 13 days after stepping down as party leader.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "An aircraft crashed at Muan Airport, causing numerous casualties in a disaster," and added, "Every second counts in this urgent crisis. I urge the authorities to mobilize all administrative power and available resources to swiftly manage the accident." He also requested, "Please pay special attention to the safety of the rescue personnel." Lee said, "The National Assembly and the Democratic Party will also provide all possible support to manage the accident."

Kim Yoon-duk, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, said at a press briefing held at the National Assembly, "I sincerely hope that the human damage will be minimized," and added, "I hope the government authorities can quickly carry out rescue operations and accident management." Kim conveyed, "Leader Lee instructed Floor Leader Park Chan-dae and me to provide all possible support from the National Assembly and the party level for the swift management of the accident."

The Innovation Party also emphasized in a statement, "Everything possible must be done for life rescue and accident management." Kim Bo-hyeop, chief spokesperson of the Innovation Party, said, "The government must form a central accident management headquarters at the pan-government level centered on Acting Prime Minister Choi and mobilize all available resources for rescue. The utmost effort must be made to prevent any further casualties during the rescue process."