A tragic plane crash on 29 December 2024, claimed the lives of nearly 200 people, prompting the Catholic Bishops of South Korea to appeal for better safety measures to be implemented as soon as possible. The Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it crashed on arrival, leaving only two flight attendants surviving. The incident marks the worst aviation disaster in South Korean history.
Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims and their loved ones during his Sunday Angelus, saying, “My thoughts turn to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident.” The Pope joined in prayer for the survivors and the departed, offering words of comfort to those affected by the tragedy.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, led by President Bishop Mathias Ri Iong-hoon, issued a statement calling for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The Bishops acknowledged that while advances in science and technology have enriched lives, they have also brought new forms of danger and threat. They emphasized that stakeholders and government authorities must work to eliminate these hazards and improve safety environments.
The Bishops also urged authorities not to prioritize finding blame, but rather to focus on improving safety conditions to prevent similar tragedies. They expressed their hope that the merciful God would embrace the souls of the victims and comfort the bereaved families. The Bishops’ appeal serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and taking proactive measures to prevent such devastating incidents.