On December 27, South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, Choi Sang-mok, officially assumed duties as acting president. However, just two days later, he faced a major challenge. On December 29, a plane carrying 181 people collided and caught fire while landing at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initially speculated that the accident was caused by the plane striking a flock of birds. The South Jeolla Fire Department confirmed that all but two of the passengers perished.
Acting President Visits Accident Site
On the day of the accident, Choi Sang-mok, along with officials from the Ministry of Land and Transport, visited Muan Airport to assess the progress of rescue efforts and the investigation. It has been noted that teams from the Ministry of Transport and Safety will report directly to Choi Sang-mok in the coming weeks. A government spokesperson stated that they are currently organizing how to adjust Choi Sang-mok's busy schedule while simultaneously releasing information related to the accident.
Challenges in Government Coordination
A senior official from the Ministry of Finance revealed that it remains unclear which office, among those of Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Duck-soo, will report directly to Choi Sang-mok. As acting president, Choi Sang-mok must coordinate multiple departments to ensure the smooth progression of rescue operations and accident investigations, while also maintaining the functioning of the government.
National Mourning Declared
To mourn the victims of the air crash, the South Korean government has declared a national mourning period from December 29 to January 4 of the following year. During this time, the government will suspend certain entertainment and celebratory activities to express condolences for the victims.
Summary and Aftermath
This sudden air crash has placed enormous pressure on the newly appointed acting president, Choi Sang-mok, and presented multi-faceted challenges to the South Korean government. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, and how the aftermath is handled will be crucial in testing the government's emergency response capabilities. Meanwhile, how Choi Sang-mok balances the air crash investigation with national governance also draws widespread public attention.
