South Korean council's banner thanking president sparks outrage from victims' families

A banner erected by the Muan County Council in South Korea, expressing gratitude to President Lee Jae-myung for his directive on reopening Muan International Airport, has sparked outrage among the families of victims from a fatal 2022 Jeju Air crash at the same airport.

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Deeply thank President Lee Jae-myung for his prompt directive to reopen Muan International Airport.

The banner, which read, "Deeply thank President Lee Jae-myung for his prompt directive to reopen Muan International Airport," was criticized not only for its political message but also for a significant error: misspelling the president's name as 'Lee Jae-myung' instead of the correct 'Lee Jae-myung'.

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The Muan County Council's appearance, putting up a banner thanking the president while misspelling the president's name as 'Lee Jae-myung,' can be guessed at its level.

The 12/29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Crash Victims' Association issued a statement condemning the council's "carelessness and irresponsibility." They argued that the banner, in its misspelling and misplaced gratitude, epitomized the council's indifference to the 179 lives lost and the region's safety. The association accused the council of deflecting responsibility to the government while exploiting the tragedy for political achievements.

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A single banner is a microcosm that shows the carelessness and irresponsibility of the Muan County Council in dealing with 179 sacrifices and regional safety.

Victims' families highlighted the council's silence and inaction over the past 19 months since the crash. They stated that the council had never once stood with them in their calls for truth, accountability, and preventative measures. The association demanded that the council first reach out to the grieving families before erecting congratulatory banners and urged them to become active participants in resolving the tragedy rather than mere bystanders or those seeking political credit.

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The fact that the council, which should be working for the lives and safety of local residents, is using even tragedy as a means to build up achievements is a hypocritical act that breaks the hearts of the bereaved families once again.