Muan County, South Korea – The grief-stricken father Jeon Je-young can’t stop watching the heartbreaking video of the tragic accident. It shows a plane carrying his beloved daughter, Mi-sook, and 180 others crashing into a wall and erupting into flames at Muan International Airport.
His daughter, Mi-sook, was among the 179 people who lost their lives in South Korea’s deadliest air disaster. Only two crew members survived the horrific crash.
A Father’s Pain
Jeon, a 71-year-old father, is struggling to accept what happened. “When I saw the accident video, the plane seemed out of control,” he said. “The pilots probably had no choice. My daughter, only in her mid-40s, is gone. It’s just unbelievable.”
Mi-sook, described as a warm-hearted and kind person, had spent her last day with her father just four days before the crash. She brought him food and a calendar for the new year, a simple but thoughtful gesture that became their final memory together.
“She was so much nicer than my son,” Jeon said with a sad smile. “She would even ask me out for meals sometimes.” He shared their last messages on his phone, cherishing the small moments of joy they shared.
The Deadly Crash
On Sunday, Jeju Air flight 7C2216 was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, when tragedy struck. The plane attempted to land but appeared to be in trouble. Without its landing gear visible, the aircraft skidded across the runway, crashed into navigation equipment, and slammed into a wall. In seconds, it was engulfed in flames and debris.
Out of 181 people on board, only two crew members survived. They are currently being treated for their injuries.
Unimaginable Grief
The airport’s arrival area turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak as authorities began calling out the names of the deceased. Families who had been eagerly waiting for their loved ones collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed with grief and anger.
Jeon’s daughter had been on her way home from a Christmas vacation in Bangkok. Her husband and teenage daughter are left heartbroken by her sudden loss.
“The water near the airport isn’t deep, and the nearby fields are softer than the cement runway,” Jeon questioned in frustration. “Why couldn’t the pilot try landing there?”
Rescue and Investigation
Firefighters described the aftermath as devastating. “The crash and explosion left the plane almost completely destroyed,” said Yeom Dong-bu, a firefighter who responded to the scene. “Most passengers were thrown out of the plane during the collision and explosion.”
Yeom, who had previously worked as a paramedic, added, “I’ve seen terrible car crashes, but this is beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed.”
Identifying the Victims
Authorities collected DNA samples from families to help identify the victims. Mi-sook was identified through her fingerprints. Her family is now planning to bring her body to a funeral home in her hometown of Gwangju.
“She thought she was almost home,” Jeon said, his voice breaking. “She didn’t even think to call us to say goodbye. She thought she’d be with us soon.”
A Nation in Mourning
As investigations continue, South Korea mourns the loss of 179 lives in this unprecedented tragedy. Families like Jeon’s are left to piece together their shattered lives, holding on to the memories of loved ones who were taken far too soon.
