Muan: Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Thursday visited the site of a 2024 plane crash and sought to comfort bereaved families of the 179 victims amid delays in recovering the remains and determining what exactly led to the crash and who is responsible.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han expressed her condolences during a meeting with family members at Muan International Airport, approximately 290 kilometers south of Seoul, where the Jeju Air plane belly-landed, crashed into a concrete mount, and erupted into flames on December 29, 2024. She acknowledged the immense suffering of the families and emphasized her sense of responsibility as a government representative.
Han assured the families that uncovering the cause of the crash is a priority. She mentioned that transferring the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board from the land ministry to the prime minister's office was intended to maintain its independence and ensure a fair investigation. Han also participated in a tribute by offering a flower at the mourning altar established at the airport.
Efforts to recover the victims' remains and belongings are ongoing. The government resumed the search in April, more than a year after the crash, following complaints about unattended remains and personal items at the site. An official from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board stated that the timeline for completing the search will be decided in consultation with the bereaved families.