Foreign Media: "Muan Airport Filled with Wails and Screams... 'Political Crisis' in Korea, Shocked" (Comprehensive)

"Muan International Airport was filled with wails and screams. It shocked South Korea, which is facing a political crisis." The New York Times (NYT)

"The whole world is mourning for South Korea. This tragedy will be one of two events that define South Korea's 2024, along with the declaration of martial law." The Guardian

Major foreign media continued follow-up reports on the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred on the 29th at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, while noting that the tragedy happened amid a political crisis in South Korea, with President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law and the passage of an impeachment motion. World leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, also expressed condolences and sympathy.

Yonhap News

"Only 2 survived" foreign media follow-up reports... Focus on political crisis and cause of accident

The NYT, which has been urgently reporting major news since immediately after the accident, confirmed in an article from Muan early morning on the 30th Korea time that all 179 passengers except for 2 crew members died, calling it "the deadliest disaster experienced by a Korean airline in decades and the worst aviation accident in South Korea."

The outlet reported, "Amid rampant speculation about the cause of the crash, Muan International Airport was filled with wails and screams," adding, "Twelve bodies were so severely damaged that their gender could not be immediately identified," conveying the local atmosphere. It also stated, "This tragedy shocked South Korea, which is in a political crisis due to President Yoon's martial law and the passage of the impeachment motion," adding, "It is even more shocking because there have been no fatal aviation accidents in South Korea since the 1990s."

Bloomberg also reported, "Only 2 crew members survived," calling it "one of the deadliest accidents worldwide in the past decade." AFP reported that the wreckage of the passenger plane found in a field next to the runway revealed the devastating impact of the accident, noting, "The youngest passenger was 3 years old, and the oldest was 78." It also added that a seven-day national mourning period has been declared until the 4th of next month.

The Washington Post (WP) reported that the surviving crew member mentioned a bird strike, noting, "It is a relatively common occurrence that can cause significant damage to aircraft but rarely leads to a crash," focusing on the cause of the disaster. France 24 covered experts questioning the possibility of a bird strike as the cause. The Times, AP News, and others mentioned that Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737-800 involved in the accident, will suffer another blow to its credibility due to this accident.

The British daily The Guardian, in a separate analysis article, evaluated the tragedy as a "test of political unity amid a leadership crisis." The outlet cited the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster and the martial law situation as "two events that will define South Korea's 2024, a country praised so far for its economic and cultural power." It added, "(Although the two events are) unrelated, they reveal the potential risks that instability at the highest levels of government can pose to disaster response," emphasizing that national response amid severe political division is crucial. CNN reported, "The tragic passenger plane accident occurred amid a deepening political crisis in the South Korean government and uncertain national leadership."

Japanese media, including Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), also prominently covered the accident on their front pages on the 30th, focusing on South Korea's political turmoil and the presumed cause of the accident, bird strike.

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is observing a moment of silence at the Jeju Air passenger plane accident site at Muan International Airport, Jeollanam-do, on the afternoon of the 29th. Provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Yonhap News Agency

Biden expresses "deep sorrow," Zelensky offers condolences saying "loss of life is a tragedy"

Condolences and sympathy continue worldwide. President Biden said in a statement, "I feel deep sorrow," adding, "As close allies, the American people share a deep bond of friendship with the Korean people. I pray for those affected by this tragedy."

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, also wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "My heart aches seeing images of the plane crash," expressing "deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all of South Korea." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X, "The accident at the airport in Muan-gun, South Korea, took many lives. The loss of life is an immeasurable tragedy," adding, "We stand with the Korean people in this time of sorrow."

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed, "I feel deep sorrow for the loss of many precious lives," stating, "On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I offer heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured." Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a condolence telegram to Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, according to state-run China Central Television (CCTV).

Pope Francis said at a mass held in the Vatican after the Angelus prayer, "I express condolences to many Korean families grieving over today's tragic plane crash," adding, "Let us pray for the survivors and those who have passed away."