Park Yong-jin "Yoon's Tragedy Condolences Add Salt to the Wounds of the People"

"Breathless from Shamelessness"
"Evading Investigation Despite Violating the Constitution"
"Which Citizen Would Want an Apology?"

President Yoon Suk-yeol posted a condolence message regarding the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, but former Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin criticized it as "rubbing salt into the wounds of the people."

On the night of the 30th, former lawmaker Park appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Battle" and referred to the post President Yoon made on his social media (SNS). He said, "Yoon Suk-yeol's consolation is actually an act of pouring salt on the wounds of the people," adding, "I am suffocated by his shamelessness." He continued, "After trampling on the constitution and violating the law, the president shows cowardice by evading investigation. Which citizen would want an apology from such a president?"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo

He also said, "The People Power Party is the one encouraging and creating the atmosphere for such acts," and sharply criticized, "Since the internal conflict, the attitude of the People Power Party is truly subject to unconstitutional party dissolution judgment." Furthermore, he pointed out, "The ruling party is busy defending the president rather than criticizing his mistakes."

Earlier, on the 29th, the day the disaster occurred, President Yoon posted, "I express my deep condolences and sympathy to those who lost precious lives and to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. It is an extremely sorrowful and tragic feeling," adding, "I believe the government will do its best to manage the accident and support the victims. I will also stand with the people to overcome this difficult situation as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, attempted a belly landing (landing with the aircraft body sliding on the runway without the landing gear deployed) on the runway at Muan Airport with the landing gear not deployed. However, after about 10 seconds, the aircraft veered approximately 300 meters off the runway and collided with a concrete outer wall. With a loud crash, the plane was severely damaged, and most of the fuselage was engulfed in flames. The passenger plane carried a total of 181 people, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members. According to the Fire Agency's tally, 179 people died and 2 were rescued. As a result, the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster became the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea.

The runway at Muan Airport where the accident occurred remains closed until 5 a.m. on January 1 of next year, and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board's accident investigation team is conducting an initial investigation at the scene. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official stated, "The investigation period for passenger plane accidents usually takes from six months to as long as three years," adding, "Since various factors such as aircraft issues, pilot procedures, and external causes need to be investigated, it will take a long time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.