Minister Hong Ji-sun pays tribute to victims, pledges swift action on families' concerns
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Ji-sun visited Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province on Monday afternoon to pay tribute to victims of the Dec. 29 passenger jet disaster and offer condolences to bereaved families.
Hong laid flowers at a memorial altar set up on the airport's first floor, then held a meeting with the families, listening to their concerns about the progress of the crash investigation, the search for additional remains and the support system for victims.
"As minister, I feel a profound sense of responsibility for the grief and anguish the families are enduring," Hong said. "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will fulfill its duties until the cause of and responsibility for the accident are clearly established." She also said the ministry would actively support the funeral process once the search for remains is complete, ensuring it proceeds in accordance with the families' wishes.
Hong said she was again struck by how much pain and frustration the families continue to carry so long after the accident. "I will take the issues raised by the families seriously and do everything I can to ensure the necessary measures are taken as quickly as possible," she added.
Meanwhile, the bereaved families' council has repeatedly condemned what it described as a poor initial response to the disaster. Following the completion Thursday of a six-month search for remains at the embankment at the crash site, the council has called on the government to take full responsibility for overseeing an additional search of aircraft wreckage scheduled at the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board at Gimpo Airport on Friday, demanding that not a single remain or personal effect be overlooked.
smh@heraldcorp.com
