[Aircraft Disaster] "May They Rest in Peace"... Mourning at Muan Airport

Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Joint Memorial Ceremony
"Hope You Will Be Happy" - Handwritten Letters on the Stairs of Remembrance
"May This Tragedy Be Remembered So It Will Never Be Repeated"

On the morning of the 18th, the stairs at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam were decorated as the "Stairs of Remembrance," with handwritten letters attached to commemorate the victims. Photo by Song Bohyun

"Now, even if I call out, there is no answer, but I hope you will be happy."

On the morning of the 18th at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province.

On this day, a joint memorial ceremony was held to remember and honor the victims of the 12/29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. From early morning, officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the South Jeolla Provincial Government, and the Gwangju City Hall were busy guiding the event at the airport.

The stairs leading to the second floor were decorated as the "Stairs of Remembrance," with handwritten letters attached to honor the victims.

The Stairs of Remembrance were created by the Handwritten Letter Movement Headquarters starting from the 1st of this month, to remember the victims of the disaster and to share and comfort the nation's grief together.

From the pillars on the first floor to various spots on the Stairs of Remembrance, hundreds of handwritten letters were displayed.

One bereaved family member wrote, "To the precious person who will no longer answer when I call. With longing, I suppress my sorrow and carefully fold the memories engraved in my heart, sending them away in this small postcard." The letter continued, "I want to see you, hear your voice, and hug you, but it is so sad that I can no longer do so. Please be happy there."

Lee Geunho, head of the Handwritten Letter Movement Headquarters, said, "Thirteen years ago, I lost my son in an unexpected accident. I can't imagine the extent of the sorrow of losing a family member, but I came to Muan Airport to offer some comfort to them," and added, "I hope that the words remembering and honoring the victims will be shared nationwide so that we can share our grief."

A rehearsal was held in advance at the waiting area on the second floor, where the memorial ceremony would take place.

The bereaved families who filled the seats wiped away endless tears as they watched the rehearsal in a daze. A mother who came to the ceremony holding hands with her family could not hold back her tears and bowed her head for a long time.

One volunteer said, "I have been coming to the airport since the disaster to help ease the pain of the bereaved families, even if only a little," and added, "I hope the victims will be remembered for a long time so that such a disaster never happens again."

The joint memorial ceremony, hosted by the bereaved families of the disaster victims and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is expected to be attended by about 700 bereaved family members and a total of about 1,200 people.

The ceremony will begin with Jindo Ssitgimgut, a traditional Korean shamanic ritual to comfort the spirits of the victims, followed by a moment of silence, floral tributes and incense burning, and memorial speeches.

A memorial video titled "Time of Remembrance," featuring scenes of the condolence procession, onsite recovery activities, and prayers for the deceased since the accident, will also be shown.