Lee Jae-myung Meets Bereaved Families in Muan: "I Will Do My Best"

Lee Jae-myung Comforts Families of Jeju Air Disaster in Person
Kneels Before Families and Takes Notes on Their Requests

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Muan International Airport, where the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster occurred, to console the bereaved families. Around 8:50 p.m. on the 29th, Lee arrived at the airport and told the families, "We will do our best," adding, "Please let us know anytime if there is any inconvenience or anything you need." He held the hands of the grieving families who were sobbing and comforted them, personally handing out handkerchiefs. Lee also took notes on the families' demands, such as the prompt identification of the victims.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is kneeling at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do on the afternoon of the 29th, consoling the families of the passengers involved in the Jeju Air plane explosion accident. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

After meeting with the bereaved families, Lee held a closed-door meeting with accompanying lawmakers at a designated location in the airport to discuss measures for the accident. Democratic Party Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae said, "The important issues now are confirming the identities and deciding on follow-up measures after identification," adding, "Coroners from across the country are arriving one after another to identify the victims as quickly as possible." He also mentioned, "There is a judgment that legal support for the victims' families is necessary," and conveyed that "the Gwangju-Jeonnam Bar Association will provide legal support, according to the mayor of Gwangju." The Democratic Party plans to hold an emergency joint meeting of the Supreme Council and the Aviation Accident Countermeasures Committee at the Jeonnam Provincial Party Office on the 30th, followed by a condolence visit at the joint memorial altar for the victims.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Muan International Airport in Muan County, Jeollanam-do on the 29th, consoling the bereaved families and taking notes on their requests. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

Meanwhile, as the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster occurred at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam, both ruling and opposition parties voiced a rare unified stance, emphasizing that "accident recovery is the priority." There were even harsh calls to halt political disputes until the recovery is complete. Both parties held emergency meetings immediately after the accident to discuss party-level response measures. Especially as most of the passengers were reported deceased, they are focusing all efforts on managing the situation.

The ruling party, People Power Party, formed a 'Muan Airport Passenger Plane Crash Recovery Task Force (TF)' chaired by lawmaker Kwon Young-jin during an emergency meeting. Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader, visited the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun with TF members. On the 30th, they plan to visit the accident site as well. In Muan, they will discuss accident recovery and measures to prevent recurrence, and console the bereaved families.