SOUTH KOREA'S ACTING PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NATIONAL MOURNING PERIOD OVER DEADLY MUAN PLANE CRASH

SEOUL, Dec 29 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korea’s 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.

Yonhap News Agency reported that the announcement was made during an emergency 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.

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.

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.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP