South Korean President Jae-myong I apologized on Monday for the accident of the South Korean airline Jeju Air, which claimed 179 lives a year ago. On the first anniversary of the tragedy, he promised a credible investigation into key issues surrounding the case. The families of the deceased and the public remembered the victims of this plane crash at the memorial service. TASR informs about it according to a report by the Jonhap agency.
- The president of South Korea has apologized for last year’s plane crash.
- At the memorial service, the public remembered the victims of the tragedy.
- The Jeju Air plane crash claimed 179 lives.
- The government promised a comprehensive investigation and support for affected families.
- The priority is to strengthen safety standards and accident prevention.
I Che-myong: As the president entrusted with the protection of people’s lives, I deeply apologize
“I know that no words can fully provide comfort,” the president said in a video message marking the first anniversary of the tragedy. “As the president entrusted with the protection of people’s lives and safety, I deeply apologize,” said I Che-myong.
The president says the country needs “real change and action, not empty promises,” and expressed full support for an investigation into the cause of the accident, as well as comprehensive assistance to the families of the victims.
According to the president, the government will strengthen the independence and professionalism of the Air and Railway Incident Investigation Commission under the Ministry of Transport and make every effort to find out the cause of the accident. He identified the return of families to their daily lives as the main priority, through psychological and health care, legal assistance and assistance in procuring a living.
Sirens sounded for a minute before the ceremony began
“The fatal accident clearly revealed the structural problems and shortcomings in our society,” the president stated. “Ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again is the least we can do to honor the victims,” he added.
More than 1,200 people, including families of the victims and government officials, gathered outside the airport’s passenger terminal on Monday for a memorial service for the victims of the crash. Before the start of the ceremony, at 9:03 a.m. local time (1:03 a.m. CET) – exactly when the accident happened a year ago – sirens sounded for a minute. Survivors and memorial service participants placed white chrysanthemums on the altar in honor of the deceased, whose names were read one by one.
The worst air disaster in South Korea
Only two people survived the crash of a South Korean airliner with 181 people on board.
South Korea’s worst air disaster occurred at Muan Airport in the southwest of the country, where the plane skidded off the runway while landing without the landing gear extended, hit a concrete wall and exploded.
The National Assembly last week set up a special parliamentary commission to investigate the exact cause of the accident and investigate possible contributing factors.
