Gwangju Memorial Altar for Jeju Air Crash to Close on 21st

City Consults with Bereaved Family Representatives... Final Tribute
Over 29,000 Visit May 18 Plaza and Jeonil Building

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong is offering flowers to the bereaved families at the joint memorial altar for the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster set up at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu on the morning of the 21st. Photo by Gwangju City

The bereaved families of the victims of the '12.29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster' and Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung held a final joint memorial service at the joint memorial altar in Jeonil Building 245 on the 21st, paying tribute to the victims.

On this day, the Gwangju City Government closed the operation of the joint memorial altar, which had been set up on the first floor of Jeonil Building 245 to honor the victims of the '12.29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster.' The closure of the joint memorial altar was carried out in consultation with representatives of the victims' families. The city also closed the 'online memorial altar' on its official website on the same day.

The 'Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Victims Joint Memorial Altar' was initially set up at the May 18 Democracy Plaza and operated from December 30 last year until January 4. From January 5, it was relocated indoors to the first floor of the nearby Jeonil Building 245, where it was operated for 48 days. A total of 29,027 visitors paid tribute to the victims at the two joint memorial altars. At the online memorial altar, 7,094 people offered flowers, and 4,375 people left condolence messages to honor the victims.

Prior to the closure of the joint memorial altar, the city held a final joint memorial service. Attendees included Mayor Kang Gijung, Park Hanshin, the representative of the Bereaved Families Association, bereaved family members, Park Mikyung, the standing representative of the Gwangju Civil Society Organizations Council, Jung Youngil, the chairman of the Gwangju NGO Citizens Foundation, Lee Sanggap, the Vice Mayor for Culture and Economy, and public officials.

Park Hanshin, the representative of the bereaved families, said, "The bereaved families are supporting each other and preparing for a new beginning. I would like to sincerely thank the public officials and members of civil society organizations who helped operate the memorial altar."

Mayor Kang said, "Together with the bereaved families, we are saying our final farewell at the memorial altar. I am grateful to everyone who shared in our pain. Many challenges remain, such as uncovering the cause of the disaster and providing psychological healing for the bereaved families, so I ask for your continued support as you have shown so far."

They also expressed their gratitude to the volunteers from the Gwangju Volunteer Center and civil society organizations who participated in operating the joint memorial altar.

The Gwangju City Government plans to establish a self-help and recovery space to support the psychological stability and healing of the bereaved families, citizens, and other victims. Once the 'Special Act on Support for Victims of the Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster' is enacted and a legal basis for support is established, the city plans to build the '1229 Mind Center' and expand its function as a comprehensive platform for disaster psychological support.