Muan: Acting President Choi Sang-mok expressed his condolences for the victims of the Jeju Air plane crash, marking his visit to a memorial altar in Muan with a pledge for a safer aviation future. In what is being called the worst aviation disaster in the country in more than two decades, 179 lives were lost when the plane belly-landed and exploded at a local airport. Choi emphasized the government's commitment to safety and transparency in the aftermath of the tragedy.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi, who also chairs the country's economic affairs and serves as finance minister, took interim leadership following the suspension of Han Duck-soo's duties by the National Assembly. Han was impeached shortly after assuming the role from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who himself faced impeachment for declaring martial law. Choi's visit to the memorial followed a disaster control meeting in Seoul, where he instructed a comprehensive safety review of the nation's air travel infrastructure.
The disaster claimed 179 lives out of the 181 people on board, leaving just two survivors. Choi's role includes overseeing the response to the disaster, a task typically managed by the prime minister, a position currently vacant due to political upheaval. The acting president assured the public that all resources would be directed towards helping the affected families and investigating the crash's cause.
He promised that the findings of the investigation would be shared with full transparency. A national mourning period has been declared, lasting seven days, with memorials set up across various cities, urging the public to pay their respects.
Choi's leadership during this crisis is seen as a significant test, as he attempts to navigate not only the immediate response but also the broader implications for national safety standards amid ongoing political instability.