SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - A gesture of solidarity that gained prominence during protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol has quietly extended to the scene of South Korea’s most devastating aviation tragedy in years.
On Monday morning, a handwritten sign appeared at a cafe near Gate 4 on the second floor of Muan International Airport, offering solace to the grieving: “Volunteers and bereaved families, please enjoy an Americano or cafe latte. It’s prepaid.”
The cafe's owner said an anonymous donor had prepaid for 100 Americanos and 100 lattes. “They asked for the drinks to be provided to the bereaved families and volunteers,” the owner said.
Such gestures have become a poignant thread in the fabric of support for the victims’ families and those assisting in the aftermath of the crash, which claimed 179 lives earlier this week.
Relief organizations have also stepped in. The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korean Red Cross established a temporary booth on the airport’s first floor, distributing bottled water, blankets, and winter essentials to grieving relatives.
Volunteers from the Jeonnam Volunteer Center prepared and served comforting bowls of rice cake soup, a traditional Korean dish often served during times of reflection and renewal.
Some people, including firefighters from Muan Fire Station, delivered boxes filled with bread, water, and instant noodles to workers combing through the wreckage.
The government has declared a national mourning period, lasting from Dec. 30 to Jan. 4. Flags across the country, including at government offices, are flying at half-staff. Joint memorial altars have been established in all 17 metropolitan and provincial regions, as well as at the crash site.
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