South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Offers Sympathy to Plane Crash Victims
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Seoul, Dec 30 (NationPress) The Foreign Minister of South Korea, Cho Tae-yul, on Monday conveyed his deepest sympathies to the victims of the catastrophic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport, affecting many families, including two individuals from Thailand.
"The unfortunate event at Muan International Airport has left us in total disbelief and immense sorrow," Cho stated on the social media platform X.
"Our hearts are shattered by the tragedy that claimed so many valuable lives, including those of the two Thai nationals aboard the flight," he added. "We extend our sincere thoughts and condolences to all the victims and their families."
Officials from the foreign ministry are collaborating with the diplomatic missions of Thailand and South Korea to offer the necessary assistance to the grieving families, as mentioned by a ministry representative.
Reports indicate that some relatives of the two Thai victims who lost their lives in the incident were en route to Seoul on Monday.
The Jeju Air flight, which took off from Bangkok, tragically crashed into the perimeter wall of Muan International Airport, situated approximately 290 kilometers southwest of Seoul, the day before while attempting an emergency landing following a suspected bird strike.
This unfortunate accident resulted in the loss of all 181 individuals on board, with the exception of two flight attendants located in the tail section. Among the deceased were two Thai nationals.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also expressed her condolences to the victims and their families via X, stating she had instructed the country's foreign ministry to provide assistance to the bereaved families, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
In the wake of this tragedy, there has been a notable increase in the cancellation of travel arrangements and airline tickets due to rising concerns regarding aviation safety, according to sources within the industry.
Jeju Air Co. reported that by 1 p.m., 68,000 flight reservations had been canceled. Among these cancellations, over 33,000 were domestic flights, while 34,000 involved international routes.
The airline mentioned that the majority of cancellations occurred after 9 a.m. on Sunday, when flight 7C2216, with 181 people aboard, crashed at Muan International Airport in the southwestern region of Muan.
Local travel agencies have also noted a rise in cancellations of tour packages following the incident. Many agencies have halted their television and online advertisements and promotional activities.
"On Sunday alone, we received approximately 40 inquiries regarding travel cancellations. We experienced about double the usual number of cancellations and a 50 percent decline in bookings," reported a travel agent who wished to remain anonymous.
Industry sources indicate that the travel sector is vigilantly observing the situation, anticipating ongoing repercussions as public concerns about aviation safety continue to escalate.
