Gwangju City Operates 'Bereaved Family Support Team' for Jeju Air Passenger Plane Accident

National Mourning Period Until the 4th of Next Month... Joint Memorial Altar at 5.18 Square
Gwangju City Council and Justice Party Call for Thorough Investigation into the Accident

Kang Kijeong is announcing the "Support Measures for Bereaved Families of the Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster" at the "3rd Regional Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (RDSCH) Meeting" held in the city hall conference room on the afternoon of the 29th at Gwangju Square. Provided by Gwangju City

Regarding the Jeju Air passenger plane crash at Muan Airport carrying 181 passengers, the city of Gwangju held a meeting of the Regional Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Jidaebon) in the main conference room of City Hall on the 29th, presided over by Mayor Kang Gijung, and announced "Support Measures for the Bereaved Families of the Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster."

After hearing the news of the plane disaster, Mayor Kang held the "First Situation Assessment Meeting" at the 119 General Situation Room at 10:30 a.m. that day. Considering the seriousness of the situation, he immediately converted to the Regional Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, held the "First Jidaebon Meeting" at 11 a.m., and visited the scene at Muan Airport to hold an emergency countermeasure meeting with Acting President Choi Sangmok, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, and others. The city then held the "Second Jidaebon Meeting" at 1:30 p.m. presided over by Vice Mayor for Culture and Economy Lee Sanggap, and the "Third Jidaebon Meeting" at 4 p.m. presided over by Mayor Kang.

The city named this incident the "Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster" and declared a week of mourning from that day until January 4 next year. In addition, a joint memorial altar for the victims will be set up and operated at 5.18 Democracy Square on Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu.

Together with the five autonomous districts, the city will form a "Support Team for the Bereaved Families of the Victims" to establish a support system for funeral procedures and other needs, mobilizing all administrative resources to assist in recovery efforts. In particular, dedicated public officials will be assigned and operated in cooperation with the autonomous districts to support the bereaved families of the deceased. Early psychological recovery support will also be provided to prevent trauma among bereaved families and others.

In addition, year-end and New Year events will be canceled or simplified. Accordingly, the annual "New Year's Eve Bell Ringing Ceremony" has been canceled.

Mayor Kang stated, "A truly heartbreaking incident has occurred. Many lives have been lost. The accident scene was utterly devastating," and added, "Out of the 181 passengers on the disaster plane, 81 are registered residents of Gwangju. The city will establish a support team for the bereaved families and focus all administrative resources on assisting them."

The Gwangju City Council and the Justice Party also issued statements and urgent declarations on the same day, calling for a "thorough investigation into the cause."

The Gwangju City Council issued a statement regarding the Jeju Air accident, expressing its commitment to do its utmost to assist in the recovery efforts for the crash of Jeju Air flight 7C 2216.

In its statement, the council said, "We are deeply saddened and devastated by the unbelievable news of the Jeju Air passenger plane from Bangkok, carrying 181 people, crashing," and urged, "We hope the government and local authorities will do their utmost to ensure that rescue, support for bereaved families, and recovery for the injured are carried out swiftly and thoroughly."

It continued, "A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident is needed to prevent similar incidents from recurring, and extraordinary measures must be taken," adding, "We pray for the souls of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured."

The council also stated, "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the passengers who are suffering indescribable pain," and added, "The council will establish its own 'Accident Recovery Support Team' to ensure thorough support for the victims."

The Gwangju and Jeonnam branches of the Justice Party also issued an emergency statement under the joint title "We Pray for the Souls of the Deceased Victims," saying, "We urge the authorities to make every effort in rescuing the victims and handling the aftermath of the accident, and to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident." They emphasized, "Led by the city and provincial party chairpersons, we will form an internal countermeasure committee for accident recovery, operate a situation room, and do our utmost to support recovery efforts and identify the cause of the accident."