Azernews.Az

Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Sunday announced a period of national mourning over a deadly plane crash that claimed at least 177 lives, with two people still missing, according to his office, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap.

The announcement came during an emergency safety meeting held hours after a passenger jet carrying 181 individuals crash-landed and exploded at an airport in Muan, a county in southwestern South Korea. Two crew members survived the incident.

"We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy," Choi said.

He declared a seven-day national mourning period, effective starting Sunday, lasting until midnight on Saturday.

Memorial altars will be established at the crash site as well as in 17 cities and provinces, including Seoul and the southwestern city of Gwangju, the finance ministry said.

Public officials will wear mourning ribbons as a mark of respect for the victims, the ministry added.

Choi has also designated Muan as a special disaster zone, making it eligible for state support.

"We will provide all necessary assistance for recovery efforts, support for the bereaved families and medical treatment for the injured," he stated.

The acting president further instructed relevant agencies to deploy all available resources, including equipment, personnel and infrastructure.

He further pledged to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and promptly disclose the findings to the bereaved families and the public with full transparency.

Choi, who also serves as deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister, stepped into the interim leadership role on Friday following the suspension of acting President Han Duck-soo's duties by the National Assembly.

Han was impeached less than two weeks after he took over for President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 14, who was impeached for his mishandling of martial law.