South Korean business community mourns tragic Jeju Air crash

People visit a joint memorial altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall, Dec. 31. Yonhap

Leaders of Korea’s business organizations visited joint memorial altars Tuesday to pay their respects to the victims of the tragic Jeju Air crash, joining the nationwide mourning.

Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation, visited a memorial altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall to offer condolences for the 179 people who lost their lives in the plane crash in Muan County, southwestern Korea, on Sunday.

Yoon Jin-sik, head of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), also paid his respects at the Seoul memorial altar, according to industry officials.

In observance of the government-declared nationwide mourning period, lasting until Saturday, KITA had canceled its year-end party originally scheduled for Monday.

Several companies have also canceled or postponed their New Year’s events.

Hyundai Motor Group has decided to delay their New Year’s kickoff meeting to Monday from Friday. The event, which typically features Chair Euisun Chung, is one of the group’s major yearly gatherings.

Additionally, Hyundai Motor Group has lowered flags at its headquarters in southern Seoul as a sign of respect.

The moves follow a wave of similar gestures by many others to pay respects to those lost in the tragedy that marked the worst aviation accident for the country in over two decades.

Many prominent business organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea, have issued statements offering condolences to the victims and their bereaved families, while postponing or calling off all festive events planned for the year’s end and the New Year.

The government has set up nearly 90 memorial altars in 17 major cities and provinces across the nation to allow anyone to visit and pay their respects to the deceased. (Yonhap)