S. Korean Business Community Mourns Jeju Air Crash, Commits To Prevention Efforts

SEOUL, Dec 30 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- The South Korean business community on Monday joined the nationwide mourning for the tragic airliner crash that claimed 179 lives, pledging all-out support for efforts to prevent any future tragedies, according to Yonhap news agency.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident at Muan airport and extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, who must be experiencing immense sorrow," the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said in a statement.

"We will make every effort to ensure that the unfortunate accident is resolved quickly, and the business community will spare no effort and provide necessary support to help create a safer society," it added.

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The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) also issued a statement, expressing condolences and support for the grieving families.

"The trade industry hopes that all of us can unite as a society to recover from this tragedy and overcome the pain," it said.

"We will actively participate in developing measures to contribute to a safe society and prevent such incidents from occurring again."

Choi Jin-shik, head of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea, also conveyed his condolences to the victims and their families.

"I would like to express my deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives in the Muan International Airport passenger plane crash," he said. "It is essential to take prompt measures to manage the aftermath and prevent such accidents in the future."

A Jeju Air passenger jet carrying 181 people crashed at Muan International Airport in the southwestern county of Muan on Sunday. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident.

The South Korean government has declared a seven-day mourning period lasting until Saturday.

At the same time, many businesses have reduced the scale of gatherings and activities while some have cancelled their scheduled events and campaigns for the new year as part of efforts to observe the national mourning period.

The KCCI said it plans to hold a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the accident at the annual New Year's dinner slated for Friday.

The annual dinner is the largest New Year's event in the business community, where people from the business, political, labour and other fields gather at the beginning of each year to exchange greetings.

The KCCI has sent invitations to 500 people, including Samsung Electronics Co Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chair Euisun Chung.

KITA has called off its year-ending party originally scheduled for Monday, and plans to hold a moment of silence at its first business day gathering on Thursday.

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business will hold its New Year's party on Friday as scheduled with a moment of silence.

Samsung Electronics has flown flags at half-mast at its major operations in Seoul, Suwon and Gwangju and plans to hold a moment of silence at New Year's kickoff meetings on Thursday.

Flags at the headquarters of SK Group and LG Group in Seoul were also lowered out of respect.

Retail giant Lotte Group will light up its landmark Lotte World Tower in southeastern Seoul with mourning lighting, a solemn illumination symbolising respect and remembrance, until Saturday.

It has cancelled the tower's new year countdown event scheduled for midnight on the last day of 2024.

The company has decided to cancel all parades scheduled at its theme parks in Seoul and Busan until Saturday.

A countdown show at Shinsegae Department Store in downtown Seoul has also been cancelled.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP