| News of the devastating Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport airs Monday at Seoul Station. (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald) |
Civil society groups in South Korea, which were recently at the forefront of calls to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, have shifted their focus to mourning after Sunday’s Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province claimed 179 lives in the nation’s deadliest aviation disaster.
The tragic event has left the nation in shock, prompting widespread calls for solidarity and immediate support for the victims and their families. Investigators believe the crash was caused by a failure of all three landing gear systems.
In a joint statement released Sunday, a coalition of over 1,500 civic and social groups expressed their sorrow.
“We pray that the souls of those who lost their lives in this devastating incident rest in peace,” the statement read.
The tragedy has also prompted the coalition to rethink its plans for a large-scale impeachment rally, originally scheduled for Tuesday evening in Gwanghwamun. The event, which was to feature a concertlike program, has been postponed out of respect for the seven-day national mourning period, the civil society groups announced Monday.
The coalition also emphasized the urgency of providing comprehensive assistance to survivors and bereaved families.
“We hope that clear communication channels, physical spaces for support and medical and psychological assistance will be established as a top priority,” the group added.
The 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Committee also issued a statement expressing their condolences. This group was formed after the deadly Itaewon crowd crush on Oct. 29, 2022, which killed 159 people and injured nearly 200.
“There is a need for comprehensive measures to ensure that the families of victims and survivors have access to accurate information and receive the support they need,” the committee said.
The group also addressed acting President Choi Sang-mok, underscoring the importance of strong leadership during crises.
“Amid political turmoil, it’s vital that the government’s control tower operates effectively to manage and resolve the aftermath of this tragedy,” the statement read.
Choi on Sunday declared a weeklong national mourning period -- until midnight on Jan. 4 -- following the tragic plane crash, which marked South Korea's worst domestic aviation disaster to date.
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