The Seoul government has taken strong action against Hyundai Marine Leisure for going ahead with a fireworks event on the day of a terrible disaster involving a Jeju Air passenger plane. The tragic accident occurred at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, where the plane collided with a wall during landing, resulting in the death of 179 people. The city had asked the company to cancel the event out of respect for the tragedy, but the request was ignored, leading to an official response.
Seoul Government’s Request for Cancellation
On the afternoon of the disaster, the Seoul government made a formal request to Hyundai Marine Leisure, asking them to cancel their scheduled fireworks event. The government explained that the request was made at around 2:40 p.m. on the day of the disaster, following news of the crash. They made it clear that this was a time for mourning, and any celebration like the fireworks show would be inappropriate.
However, Hyundai Marine Leisure replied that the event was already planned and confirmed, which made it difficult to cancel. Despite the request, the company went ahead with the event, holding the fireworks cruise around 6:30 p.m. that evening on the Han River near Yeouido, Seoul. This decision was met with criticism, as many people felt that the event should have been postponed or canceled in the wake of the tragedy.
Government’s Follow-Up Action
The city of Seoul responded quickly after the fireworks event took place. The government announced that it had immediately ordered the cancellation of another event that Hyundai Marine Leisure had scheduled for the following day, December 31st. This action showed that the city was serious about holding the company accountable for its failure to respect the tragedy and the mourning period for the victims.
The event that took place on the Han River was part of the larger “2024 Han River Festival,” organized by the Han River Future Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. However, the decision to continue the event sparked controversy. Many people felt that it was inappropriate to hold a celebration at a time when the nation was grieving. The timing of the fireworks event, just hours after the disaster, raised questions about whether the company was showing enough sensitivity to the tragic loss of life.
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Hyundai Marine Leisure’s Apology
Following the controversy, Hyundai Marine Leisure issued an apology, acknowledging the mistake. The company’s CEO issued a statement expressing regret for causing a stir by holding the event during a time of mourning. They said, “We apologize for causing controversy by holding an event during a time when everyone is mourning.” Despite the apology, the criticism continued, as many felt the apology came too late to undo the harm caused by the company’s decision to proceed with the fireworks display.
The timing of the fireworks event was especially sensitive because it occurred just hours after a deadly plane crash. The disaster, which involved a Jeju Air plane coming from Bangkok, shocked the nation. Of the 181 passengers on board, only two survived, with the rest of the passengers tragically losing their lives. This tragedy understandably overshadowed any celebrations, and many felt that the fireworks event showed a lack of understanding of the situation.
Public Reaction and Wider Concerns
The incident has sparked wider debates about the role of companies and event organizers in being sensitive to public sentiment during times of national crisis. It also raised questions about whether enough is being done to prevent events that could be seen as disrespectful during moments of mourning.
The Seoul government’s response highlights its commitment to ensuring that events held within the city are mindful of the feelings of the public. By taking swift action against Hyundai Marine Leisure, the government showed that it takes such matters seriously and will not tolerate events that appear to disrespect the gravity of national tragedies.
Hyundai Marine Leisure, while apologizing, now faces a tough situation. The company’s decision to continue with the event has damaged its reputation and raised concerns about its judgment during such delicate moments. The public reaction shows that the people of Seoul value respect for life and mourning over entertainment and celebration, especially in the face of such heartbreaking tragedies.
