Religious Community Steps Up to Support and Console Families of Jeju Air Disaster Victims (Comprehensive)

Christian Community Supports On-site Formation of United Volunteer Corps
Jogye Order Sets Up Incense Altars at 24 Temples Nationwide

On the third day since the passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, with the tragic loss of 179 precious lives plunging the nation into deep sorrow, religious communities continued their support and activities to comfort the souls of the victims and embrace the wounds of the bereaved families.

The Korea Christian Union Volunteer Group has set up an emergency relief camp at Muan Airport. The volunteer group, which includes cooperation from over 30 churches in the Muan area, is providing ready-to-eat meals and daily necessities to the bereaved families and volunteers.
[Photo by Korea Christian Union Volunteer Group]

On the 31st, various religious orders played a central role in disaster recovery by sharing grief through the establishment of joint memorial altars and volunteer activities.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism installed a joint memorial tablet for the victims on the altar of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno, Seoul, on the 30th, allowing visitors to pay their respects. Jinwoo, the head of the General Affairs Office, along with the order’s leadership, visited the joint memorial altar at Muan Sports Park in Muan County, Jeollanam-do, to pray for the victims’ rebirth in paradise. The Jogye Order plans to operate memorial altars at 24 main temples nationwide, including Jogyesa, until January 4, the national mourning period.

On site, the Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation dispatched volunteer teams to provide refreshments and comfort activities for the bereaved families. Affiliated welfare institutions such as Songgwang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center also joined in practical support, extending warm hands of compassion.

The Korea Christian Federation and the Korea Christian Volunteer Corps provided support to bereaved families at the airport and joint memorial altars. In particular, a united volunteer group composed of 40 pastors from the Muan area has been comforting the families from early morning by providing food, beverages, and daily necessities.

Pastor Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, visited the joint memorial altar in front of Seoul City Hall and said, "I pray for an accurate investigation of the cause of the accident and a swift recovery." The church also promised ongoing attention by holding a special prayer time during the New Year's Eve service.

Kim Jong-hyuk, president of the Korea Christian Federation (HanKyocheong), emphasized, “The Korean church stands with the bereaved families who have suffered great sorrow, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and God’s great comfort for all the people. We ask churches nationwide to pray for those who have suffered great sorrow and to unite their hearts in consolation.”

On the 30th, monks of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism visited the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident installed at Muan Sports Park.
[Photo by Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism]

Kim Jong-saeng, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), expressed, “We deeply mourn all those who lost their lives in this disaster that should never have happened and the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. We pray for the recovery of those groaning at the brink of life and death and earnestly ask God to soothe the anxious hearts of the families of the missing.”

Archbishop Jung Soon-taek of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul stated, “We express deep condolences to all those who perished in the Muan Airport passenger plane crash. We earnestly pray that God will embrace their souls and give comfort and strength to the families left behind.”

Chairman Lee Yong-hoon of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea said, “No words can console the shock and sorrow of the bereaved families,” urging all believers to offer special prayers. The Catholic Church is providing on-site support and holding masses for the repose of the souls.

The Anglican Church of Korea has designated the mourning period until the 5th of next month, with Chairman Bishop Park Dong-shin emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation of the tragic accident.

On the 29th, Nasang-ho, head of the Won Buddhism Headquarters, expressed in a condolence statement on the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, “We earnestly pray for the liberation and transcendence of the victims of the disaster and deeply mourn the pain of the bereaved families who have been shocked by this thunderous tragedy. Won Buddhism will strive to help the victims and their families find peace of mind day by day, freeing them from extreme suffering.”