Jeju Air Flight Attendant's Sigh "Shedding Tears Held Back Only After Flight Ends"

Blind Post "Hoping the Last Moments of Colleagues Are Respected"

"We cannot openly cry. Only after the flight ends and the passengers have disembarked do we finally shed the tears we held back."

A Jeju Air flight attendant left a message mourning the victims, expressing the pain caused by this tragedy and hoping that the final moments of their colleagues will be respected.

On December 30, a mourner sheds tears at the joint memorial altar for the Jeju Air passenger plane accident set up at the Muan Comprehensive Sports Park in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Joint Coverage

A, who identified themselves as a Jeju Air flight attendant, wrote on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind' on the 31st of last month, "We lost colleagues and passengers we always faced. The exact cause has not been clearly revealed, but all of us are struggling so much that it is hard to regain our composure, and our hearts ache," expressing these feelings.

They said, "The word 'sadness' does not suffice. There is no word that can substitute for this sorrow," and added, "Nevertheless, today as well, we welcome passengers."

A represented their colleagues who are silently holding their ground, saying, "Even a slight touch might make us collapse and cry, but we grit our teeth and do our best more than ever for the passengers who trust us and board the plane despite this situation. The mechanics, who are my precious colleagues, also do their best as usual because our colleagues board the plane."

They continued, "I am also anxious that I might not be able to see off my departed colleagues due to scheduling. Seeing the mechanics struggling so much breaks my heart. They always did their best. We trust the mechanics and board the plane. The captains carry that heavy responsibility and enter the cockpit again. I trust and respect the captains' decisions," empathizing with their colleagues' feelings.

On December 30, a mourner sheds tears at the joint memorial altar for the Jeju Air passenger plane accident set up at the Muan Comprehensive Sports Park in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Joint Coverage

A said, "I respect my colleagues who reassured passengers until the very end and prepared for evacuation," and added, "I hope my colleagues' final moments are respected. Tomorrow, I will fly again," urging the media, "Please write refined articles, do not seek any power, and write the true story."

Meanwhile, on the fourth day after the Jeju Air tragedy and the first day of the new year, January 1st, all the recovered victims' bodies were identified by name. The bereaved families visited the accident site for the first time to hold a memorial service, and some families who received the bodies have begun funeral procedures or are waiting to receive the remaining victims' bodies.

According to the recovery authorities, the identities of all 179 victims of the tragedy have been confirmed. The 4 to 5 victims who remained unidentified until the end due to severe damage were identified through DNA retesting and other methods. However, the process of the families confirming the identities verified by the authorities remains.