[Report] "Wishing for a Safe New Year... Praying for the Victims' Rest" Citizens Visit Memorial Altars During Year-End and New Year Period

"Doesn't Feel Like Someone Else's Problem... Wishing You Peace"
Visitors Continue Paying Respects on New Year's Day

"It is such a cruel winter. I hope the new year passes safely without any accidents."

At around 10:30 a.m. on the 1st, a citizen is offering flowers at the incense altar in front of the main entrance of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the altar of the incense altar, bouquets, snacks, and toys brought directly by citizens can be seen. Photo by Seong-A Shim

From the first day of the new year 2025, many citizens headed to the Seoul City Hall, where a memorial altar for the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster was set up.

At around 10:30 a.m. on the 1st, Lee Eun-sook (62), whom we met at the memorial altar in front of the main gate of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "It was an extremely cruel year until the very end. Hearing the news of the passenger plane accident broke my heart," adding, "Since it could happen to my family or me, I have been very sad for days." Lee shed tears during the interview, struggling to compose herself. She continued, "The deceased passed away unexpectedly, and I hope they rest peacefully there," and sincerely conveyed to the victims, "The bereaved families will have a nail driven into their hearts and never forget, but I hope they overcome this well."

Citizens lined up holding a single chrysanthemum in front of the memorial altar to pay tribute to the victims. Some brought chrysanthemum bouquets or small gifts. On the altar, along with chrysanthemums, chocolates, snacks, baseballs, and dolls were also noticeable. Some citizens quietly wiped their tears after a moment of silent prayer and left.

On the morning of the 1st at around 10:30 AM, citizens are waiting to pay their respects at the incense altar in front of the main entrance of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Shim Sung-ah

Citizens who have finished laying flowers are writing messages and names they want to convey to the victims. Photo by Seom Saeng-ah

Yoo So-won (57) was at a loss for words for a long time before saying, "It is heartbreaking that people who temporarily set aside their busy daily lives to find peace of mind with their families in difficult times died in the accident." Yoo expressed, "I feel unfair and angry about why hardworking citizens keep suffering and hurting. I also feel helpless," and earnestly wished, "I hope our sons and daughters can live safely in this country."

In the cold winter weather, some citizens were seen pushing strollers or holding the hands of young children tightly. Kim Kyung-min (39), who visited the memorial space with her 5-year-old daughter, said, "Our family had planned a trip to Bangkok around the same time but couldn't go because of work, so this accident didn't feel like someone else's tragedy," adding, "I came with a heart mourning the loss of families in this cold." Ham In-young (45), who came to offer flowers with her 12-year-old son, said, "It is heartbreaking that the victims could not welcome the new year with their families," and "I came so my child could empathize with and feel this sorrow."

On December 31, the last day of 2024 and the day before, the wave of mourning continued as people visited the memorial altar after work. Office worker Choi Jae-ah (25) said, "I was overwhelmed with emotion the moment I offered flowers and found it hard to hold back," adding, "Watching the accident footage, I couldn't believe this was reality. I lament why such a horrific accident, which I only saw in movies, happened in our country." No Ji-young (26) also said, "The accident footage kept haunting me, and it even appeared in my dreams yesterday, making me uncomfortable. I was on vacation resting, but my heart was heavy, so I had no choice but to come to the memorial altar." She added, "In the new year, I hope everyone prioritizes health and safety and that society becomes safer."

At around 8 p.m. on the 31st, the incense offering altar in front of the main entrance of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. Visitors continued to pay their respects even at a late hour. Photo by Seong-A Shim

Meanwhile, during the national mourning period until the 4th, memorial altars are being operated across the country. In Jeollanam-do, the accident area, three locations are set up: in front of Gate 2 on the first floor of Muan International Airport, Muan Sports Park Gymnasium, and Jeollanam-do Provincial Office Meeting Plaza. In Jeollabuk-do, the memorial altar is at the first floor of the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Office Performance Hall, and in Gwangju, it is at the May 18 Democratic Plaza. Additionally, memorial altars have been installed in front of the main gate of Seoul City Hall, Incheon City Hall Aeteul Plaza, Ulsan City Hall Citizen Hall, Daegu Dalseo-gu An Byeong-geun Olympic Memorial Judo Hall, the west exterior of Sejong City Hall main building, and the Jeju Provincial Council main conference room.