Citizens Honor Memorial in Muan: “I Want to Donate My Toy to a Friend in Heaven”

Memorial Held for Victims of Jeju Air Plane Crash in Muan

On December 30th, beginning at 11:00 AM, a collective memorial altar was established at Muan Sports Park in Jeollanam-do, honoring the victims of the tragic Jeju Air plane crash. The memorial drew a large attendance, with families, friends of the victims, and concerned citizens coming together to pay their heartfelt respects.

Personal Stories of Loss and Empathy

Among the visitors was Park Hye-jin, a 28-year-old resident who brought her 3-year-old son, Lee Ra-on, to the memorial. Reflecting on the tragedy, Park expressed, “The youngest victim was the same age as my eldest child, and I felt heartbroken upon hearing the news. I’ve lived in Muan for 20 years, and it’s hard to believe something like this happened so close to home.” Park’s son, holding tightly onto a red toy car, bowed in silence beside his mother, poignantly symbolizing innocence in the face of such sorrow.

The atmosphere at the memorial was both serene and somber. Attendees respected the solemnity of the occasion, signing guestbooks and placing flowers and incense at the altar. Many took the time to bow their heads, visibly moved, as they remembered the lives lost.

A Community Comes Together

Jung, a 47-year-old local, expressed disbelief at the news. “I couldn’t believe it when I first read the article yesterday. It compelled me to attend the memorial. I initially chose not to visit the airport because I thought the focus would be on recovery efforts.” Meeting the victims’ names in person heightened the emotional impact for them.

Some parents, like 40-year-old Park, visited with their children to foster lessons of compassion and social responsibility. “We were traveling to Jindo, but we felt we could not proceed without acknowledging this tragedy,”she explained. “I hope this experience teaches my children the importance of empathy for others.”

Political Leaders Show Support

In a show of solidarity, several political figures attended the memorial, including Acting President Choi Sang-mok, People Power Party Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong, and Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung. Beyond Muan Sports Park, similar memorial sites have been set up at locations such as the Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do provincial offices, as well as Gwangju’s May 18 Democracy Square, emphasizing the wider community’s mourning and support for the victims’ families.

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