"Sharing Pain Halves the Burden"... Citizens Continue to Visit Today

Over 3,500 Domestic and International Volunteers Join
Donations, Counseling, and Love Food Trucks in Action
Local Governments, Corporations, and Citizens Donate 2.19 Billion Won

"It is said that even pain is halved when shared."

Since the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, a steady stream of people has been visiting Muan International Airport to offer condolences to the victims and their families.

According to South Jeolla Province on the 3rd, as of the 2nd, a total of 3,394 volunteers have visited the accident site. These volunteers quietly support in various areas, including assisting at the accident site, supporting bereaved families, providing traffic guidance, operating the "Love Meal Truck" for food and supply distribution, and offering disaster psychological support. Officials explained that the actual number is much higher when including volunteers who did not reveal their identities.

On the morning of the 2nd, at the Jeju Air disaster joint memorial altar set up at Muan Comprehensive Sports Park in Muan County, Jeollanam-do, officials from the 'Cham Joeun Sarang's Bapcha' are preparing meals for mourners and volunteers. Photo by Yonhap News

In fact, Mr. Cho, who lives in Seattle, USA, rushed to the site immediately. He was moved by his past experience as a U.S. military veteran and light aircraft instructor. On the 1st, Mr. Cho registered at the volunteer center at Muan Airport and participated in volunteer activities such as transporting and distributing donated goods and cleaning the environment. He did not leave his full name, politely declining, saying he wished to serve quietly.

Relief supplies are arriving at Muan International Airport on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

Donations of supplies have also continued, with 200 individuals and organizations providing support in 452 categories, including Ssanghwatang and funeral items. The Korean Medical Association supplied a total of 850 packs of Ssanghwatang and Yeongsinhwan to the temporary accommodations for bereaved families.

With continued donations from local governments, companies, and citizens, a total of 2.19 billion KRW in relief funds had been collected as of the 2nd.

As the funeral procedures for the victims began, the media, with the consent of the bereaved families, is providing obituary news services for the victims. This is because most of the victims' mobile phones were destroyed, making it easier to inform the public through the media.

Kim Yungrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, stated, "I am grateful for the sharing activities of the people who have come from Gwangju, South Jeolla, all over the country, and even as far as the United States to volunteer for the bereaved families, whose pain is beyond what anyone can bear."

Immediately after the accident on December 29, South Jeolla Province posted a pop-up window titled "Jeju Air Passenger Plane Accident Volunteer and Donation Inquiry" on the provincial government website to guide citizens who wish to donate supplies or participate in volunteer activities.

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