The bereaved family members of the Jeju Air tragedy have come to a decision to not request an extension to the national mourning period, designated until January 4 at 12 AM KST.
During a briefing held on January 3 KST, the delegation representing the bereaved families stated, "In light of the current political and economic state of affairs, it would be shameful of us to ask for the national mourning period to be extended. We cannot imagine the struggles that many citizens, particularly small business owners, may be facing during this crucial time of transitioning from one year to the next."
Instead, the bereaved families will be requesting that the public memorial altars set up in regions throughout Kwangju and Jeollanam-do remain in operation until the 49th day of the passing of the deceased, according to the Buddhist tradition of observing rites every 7 days until the 49th day of passing, when it is believed that the spirit of the deceased passes onto the next life.
The delegation is currently conducting negotiations with the local governments of Kwangju and Jeollanam-do in order to ensure that the public memorial altars remain in operation until the 49th day of passing. The memorial altar set up at Muan International Airport will likewise remain in operation until the 49th day, after which the memorial will be relocated.
The 49th day after the Jeju Air tragedy falls on Saturday, February 15 KST. The delegation representing the bereaved families hopes that as many of the families can gather as possible to participate in a final memorial service at the site of the accident, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is also currently making adjustments to open the site of the accident to the bereaved family members soon.
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Civilian visitors lined up outside Muan International Airport to pay tribute to the deceased at the public memorial altar on January 1 KST.
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