South Korea is in mourning as authorities begin releasing the bodies of victims from the devastating Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash.
The Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers and crew, crash-landed at Muan Airport on Sunday, bursting into flames and killing 179 people.
Only two flight attendants survived, pulled from the wreckage by rescuers.
The flight, en route from Thailand, issued a mayday call before belly-landing and colliding with a barrier.
Investigators from the United States, including representatives from Boeing, have joined South Korean officials to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Black boxes retrieved from the wreckage are being analyzed, with hopes they will shed light on the flight's final moments.
The crash has cast a shadow over the nation as it observes a seven-day mourning period.
Flags are flying at half-mast, and memorial altars have been set up across the country.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who has been in office for less than a week, called the disaster a “turning point” for South Korea, urging immediate reforms to aviation safety systems.
“This tragic event must compel us to thoroughly reexamine our aircraft operation systems and implement immediate improvements,” Choi said in a statement.
Reflecting on the last day of the year, he encouraged citizens to draw strength from unity in facing the challenges ahead.
At Muan Airport, grieving families have been gathering to claim their loved ones’ remains.
Transport Minister Park Sang-woo announced that the bodies of four victims had been released to families, with more to follow.
Among the victims was a family of nine, who had been celebrating a patriarch’s milestone birthday. All nine members, including a five-year-old grandchild, perished.
A surviving son-in-law, unable to join the trip, is left to mourn his wife and children, reportedly lamenting, “I should have gone with them and died with them.”
At the crash site, letters and ritual offerings, including food and flowers, have been left in tribute to the victims and crew. One poignant note read, “Captain, first officer, and crew members, thank you for doing your best to save lives. I pray for your eternal rest.”
Meanwhile, investigators are focusing on the flight's black boxes, which contain critical data about the moments leading up to the crash.
However, the analysis has been delayed due to damage. Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Joo Jong-wan reported that while cleaning has been completed, the flight data recorder’s condition remains under evaluation due to a missing connector.
Technical teams are working to recover the information as quickly as possible.
This disaster has brought renewed scrutiny to aviation safety in South Korea. Acting President Choi’s call for systemic reform highlights the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities in the nation's air travel infrastructure.
As South Korea bids farewell to a year marked by tragedy, the loss serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in ensuring the safety of its people.
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