"Crying Out 'Save Them'... Tears Flow Every Time Victims' Names Are Called... Frustration Over Lack of Proper Communication Channels [Report]"

Many Family Victims in Year-End Travel
Frustration Over Unclear Government Communication
Jeju Air Management Faces Backlash for Late Response

On the morning of the 30th, the wreckage of Jeju Air flight 7C2216 was still scattered at Jeonnam Muan International Airport. Through the cut surface of the aircraft, with only the tail section remaining, various fixtures and parts were clearly charred. The traces of flames and impact that overwhelmed the victims were evident despite the somewhat cloudy weather.

On the 29th, at the departure hall of Muan International Airport in Jeonnam, families of the victims are waiting after a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway during landing, causing a fire that resulted in a major disaster with most passengers dead. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

The aircraft exploded after crashing into the outer wall of the runway, leaving only the tail section skeletal. Except for the rear, the aircraft was unrecognizable, filled only with ashes. Even the interior of the aircraft lifted by the crane was difficult to identify.

Employees of the Jeonnam Muan Fire Station were busy searching for victims by sifting through the wreckage. The drone they deployed also flew around looking for traces. Although there are indications that this aircraft disaster originated from a bird strike (birds sucked into the engine), the unfortunate migratory birds were hard to spot after the accident. On that morning at 8 a.m., some parts of the Jeonnam region were covered with dense fog with visibility less than 1 km.

On the 29th, at the departure hall of Muan International Airport in Jeonnam, families of the victims are waiting after a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway during landing, causing a fire in which most passengers died in a major disaster. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The airport terminal waiting room was filled with bereaved families who rushed in after hearing the news of the accident. Every time a victim’s name was called, the heads and knees of the families bowed. The families’ cries poured out, saying, "Please save them, please bring them back," and "No, this can’t be."

It was said that there were many family travelers as the accident coincided with the year-end and Christmas holidays. The youngest passenger was a 3-year-old boy born in 2021, and the oldest passenger was 80 years old. About 15 passengers were under 20 years old. The oldest passenger had traveled with eight family members, including children and relatives, for an 80th birthday celebration, and the entire family was involved in the tragedy.

The grieving families also expressed frustration with the government’s response. They said that the government’s communication channels were unclear, so even Q&A sessions were not properly conducted. A family member, Mr. A, said, "I hurried here after hearing that my sister and brother-in-law were on board," adding, "There is no clear guidance, and just waiting is agonizing."

Firefighters are searching for belongings at the site of the Jeju Air passenger plane collision and explosion accident that occurred 30 days ago at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam. Photo by Jang Jin-hyeong

While briefings on accident handling were held in Sejong City and Gangseo-gu, Seoul, news was delayed in reaching the families at the site. One family member appealed, "I am here at the site, but I have to learn the exact accident investigation details from the news. Does that make sense?" Some agitated families raised their voices, saying there was no proper communication channel or progress from government officials.

The families also requested to be allowed to visit the accident site directly. Park Han-shin, the temporary family representative, said, "At least the men want to check the accident site before sunset," and asked for maximum cooperation. Lee Jin-cheol, director of the Busan Regional Aviation Administration, asked for understanding, saying, "There is no precedent, and trauma from the horrific scene may occur."

Kim E-bae, CEO of Jeju Air, and other executives are apologizing to the bereaved families on the 29th at Muan International Airport in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

When Jeju Air executives, including CEO Kim I-bae, appeared at Muan Airport late the previous afternoon, the reaction became even more intense. Kim, along with Chae Hyung-seok, Vice Chairman of the AK Group, and Ko Jun, CEO of AK Holdings, the parent company of Jeju Air, appeared at Muan Airport around 8 p.m. on the 29th to express condolences to the families and pledged ongoing support. Mr. Park criticized them, saying, "In a world where the whole country can be reached in three or four hours, what is the point of showing up after 11 hours?"

Meanwhile, as of 11 a.m. on the 30th, 141 victims had been identified. According to Jeollanam-do and others, when classifying the 175 passengers who died in the accident by their residence, there were 81 from Gwangju, 76 from Jeonnam, 6 from Jeonbuk, 4 from Gyeonggi, 3 from Seoul, 2 from Jeju, and 1 each from Gyeongnam, Chungnam, and Thailand. The crew consisted of 6 members: 2 pilots and 4 cabin crew. Of all 181 passengers on board, only 2 crew members were rescued.