• On New Year's Day, grieving families of plane crash victims gathered at the site to honor their loved ones.
• The tragic incident occurred when a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air crashed at Muan International Airport, claiming 179 lives.
• Officials reported that investigators successfully extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder and are analyzing it to determine the crash's cause.
• The families participated in a heartfelt memorial service that included laying white flowers and traditional Korean food.
• As the nation enters seven days of mourning, the government has initiated safety inspections of all Boeing 737-800s in South Korea.

The tragedy at Muan International Airport left families devastated as they visited the crash site on January 1 to remember the individuals who perished in what is now considered South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster in decades. The incident involved the Jeju Air flight, which met disaster shortly after departing from Bangkok. Only two of the 181 passengers survived when the aircraft—a Boeing 737-800—landed without its landing gear deployed, skidding off the runway and into a concrete fence leading to a fire, as detailed by AP News.

During the memorial service, family members laid white flowers around a tribute table and offered ddeokguk, a traditional Korean rice cake soup, symbolizing the New Year and remembrance, resonating deeply within the group as some expressed their grief openly.

As investigations proceed with the analysis of black box data, authorities mentioned that the pilot had received warnings about potential bird strikes moments before the crash. Optical evidence also indicated that an engine malfunction may have contributed to the tragic events. Meanwhile, officials have noted that safety assessments of the 101 Boeing 737-800s operating in South Korea have commenced, following the disaster.

This somber event highlights the critical need for aviation safety and inspections, as the country mourns the loss of lives while searching for answers. For further details, visit the Los Angeles Times.