The Jeju Air Tragedy: A Nation’s Grief and Unity – February 2025
On December 29, 2024, South Korea experienced one of its most devastating aviation disasters when Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed at Muan International Airport. This tragic incident not only claimed numerous lives but also sparked a nationwide outpouring of grief, support, and reflection on airline safety and disaster response.
The Crash: Causes and Consequences
Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, was scheduled to land at Muan International Airport after departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. The flight carried 175 passengers and a crew of six, including 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals. Eighty one were Gwangju City residents.
As the aircraft approached Muan Airport, it encountered a series of critical issues. At 8:57a.m. local time, the flight crew received a bird strike warning and issued a “Mayday” distress call one minute later. The pilots attempted to land on Runway 1 but were unable to deploy the landing gear properly, forcing them to abort the landing and circle back.
During the second landing attempt, the aircraft performed a belly landing, touching down near the middle of the runway. Unable to slow down sufficiently, it overran the runway and collided with a concrete structure supporting the localizer antenna. This impact caused severe damage to the aircraft, resulting in a fire.
A Nation in Mourning: Condolences and Support
The tragedy sent shock waves throughout South Korea and beyond. The government declared a seven-day national mourning period from December 29 to January 4. Flags were flown at half-staff, and public officials wore mourning ribbons.
The outpouring of grief was evident in the long lines of people waiting to pay their respects at the various memorial altars set up across the country. In Muan, where the crash occurred, citizens formed queues stretching for kilometers, patiently waiting their turn to offer condolences.
Local businesses and individuals contributed to the mourning process in various ways. On the staircase railing leading to the second floor, messages commemorating the victims were inscribed. Park Jong-seon (46), who came to Muan from Gwangju, brought his son Ji-on (6), who carefully wrote “Be happy in heaven” in a note, stroke by stroke. Park said, “It’s particularly heartbreaking that this accident happened in our region, affecting young children and families who went on a trip with their elderly parents. I hope such a painful event won’t be repeated in the new year.”
Many citizens volunteered their time to assist in managing the memorial sites, directing traffic, and providing support to the bereaved families. Flower shops offered discounts on white chrysanthemums, the traditional flower of mourning in Korea. Restaurants near the memorial sites and even some from Gwangju provided free meals to visiting mourners. For example, Chef An Yu-seong visited Muan Airport on December 30 with 200 servings of kimbap. On January 1, he prepared 700 servings of abalone porridge, in addition to ddeokgalbi and kimchi, along with his fellow chefs Choi Ji-hyeong, Bang Gi-su, and Baek Gyeong-jun. Restaurants near the memorial sites added 300 servings of abalone porridge.
Government and Civil Service Response
In the wake of the disaster, government agencies and civil servants mobilized quickly to provide support and assistance. Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province both deployed teams of public officials to assist the bereaved families. These officials were assigned to families on a one- to-one basis, providing personalized support throughout the difficult process of identifying victims, arranging funerals, and navigating the complex bureaucracy that often accompanies such tragedies.
The dedication of these civil servants was noteworthy. Many worked around the clock, sacrificing their own year-end holidays to ensure that the needs of the bereaved families were met. Their tasks ranged from providing emotional support to handling practical matters, such as accommodation arrangements and paperwork. Gwangju City, with the largest number of victims, is planning to establish a long-term program to support the bereaved families with a “12.29 Compassion Center” in Jeonil Building 245.
“Ue response to the Jeju Air tragedy demonstrated the strength and compassion of South Korean society.”
Gratitude Amidst Grief
As the initial shock of the tragedy began to subside, a remarkable gesture emerged from the bereaved families. Despite their immense grief, many expressed profound gratitude for the tireless efforts of public officials and ordinary citizens who had supported them through their darkest hours.
During the final official briefing at Muan Airport, Park Han-shin, the representative of the Jeju Air Tragedy Bereaved Families Emergency Committee, took a moment to acknowledge the dedication of government officials. In an emotional address, Park stated, “These people initially faced criticism but worked incredibly hard to help us. They have families too, and I think it must have been equally difficult for them.”
This sentiment was echoed by many other family members who recognized the round-the-clock efforts of civil servants from various agencies including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; police and fire departments; health services, port authorities, and the military; and local governments of Gwangju City and South Jeolla Province.
The families’ gratitude extended beyond government officials to encompass the broader community. Many were moved by the outpouring of support from ordinary citizens who had volunteered their time, resources, and even their homes to assist the bereaved families.
Lessons and Reflections
As South Korea begins to heal from this tragedy, several important lessons and reflections have emerged.
- The Need for a Culture of Safety: The Jeju Air crash has reignited discussions about airline safety protocols, particularly regarding issues such as bird strikes and runway safety. Experts have called for more rigorous safety measures and regular audits of airport infrastructure and airline procedures. Such measures are possible with the transparent operation of democratic government, minimizing corruption under appropriate legal regulations.
- Long-Term Support for Victims: While the immediate response to the disaster was commendable, there is recognition of the need for sustained support for the victims’ families. This includes not only financial assistance but also long-term psychological support as proposed by Gwangju City.
- The Power of Community: The response to the Jeju Air tragedy demonstrated the strength and compassion of South Korean society. The way in which citizens came together to support the bereaved families and each other has been seen as a silver lining in this dark chapter of the nation’s history.
— Transparency in Investigation: There have been calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the causes of the crash. This is seen as crucial not only for providing closure for the families but also for preventing similar tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, while the Jeju Air tragedy of 12.29 (December 29, 2024) will forever remain a painful memory in South Korea’s history, the response to it has showcased the nation’s resilience, compassion, and unity. As the country moves forward, the lessons learned from this disaster will undoubtedly shape future policies on aviation safety, disaster response, and community support. The memory of those lost will serve as a constant reminder of the importance of vigilance in safety measures and the power of collective compassion in times of crisis.
The Gwangju News expresses its appreciation to the Mudeung Daily and its reporter Mr. Im Changgyun (lcg0518@mdilbo.com) for their contribution of the original article text, to reporter Mr. Lim Jung-ok (joi5605@mdilbo.com) for his photographs, and to Dr. Shin Gyonggu for his article translation and adaptation. – Ed.
References
Park, J. (2024, January 18). 강기정 시장, 최상목 관한대행에 ‘1229 마음센 터 지원 요청[Mayor Kang Gi-jung requests support for “12.29 Compassion Center” from Acting Director Choi Sang-mok]. News 1. https://www.news1.kr/local/gwangju-jeonnam/5665267
Im, C. (2025, January 1). “Let’s share the pain together.” Memorial and sharing procession continues at Muan Airport]. Mudeung Daily. https://m.mdilbo.com/detail/c3QycN/736734
Lee, S. (2025, January 9). 1980년 5월, 2024년 12월 … 광주가 지킨 공동체의 온기 [May 1980, December 2024 … The warmth of the community preserved by Gwangju]. Mudeung Daily. https://m.mdilbo.com/detail/1d48By/737152
Kim, S. (2025, January 5). 참사 유족들 “욕먹으며 고생한 공무원들 감사”…90도 인사 [Disaster victims’ families: “Thank you to the civil servants who suffered from being cursed” … 90-degree bow]. Donga Daily. https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/ all/20250105/130789276/1