Food offerings are laid at the Jeju Air crash site at Muan International Airport, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday, three days after the tragedy. Korea Times photo by Kang Ye-jin

Three days after the Jeju Air tragedy, grieving families returned to the crash site at Muan International Airport on Tuesday to bid final farewells to their loved ones.

Among them was Park, 27, who clung to the barbed-wire fence near the runway and broke down in tears.

"Why is the wind blowing like this? What should I do? They said we couldn't find all of my Dad. Mom, Mom, do something. What if Dad disappears? No, no, Dad, please. No!" she cried.

The runway, where only the aircraft's tail section remained intact, was littered with shattered seat fragments, with patches of asphalt stained red. Families, who came to say their goodbyes before the remains of their loved ones were handed over, broke into sobs and wails upon seeing the devastating scene.

The barbed-wire fence surrounding the runway was adorned with heartfelt letters, white chrysanthemums, soju bottles, choco pies and milk left by grieving families and mourners.

An elder brother, who lost his younger sibling, wrote, "Thinking about how lonely you must have fought breaks my heart. I hope you are happy now in a warm place."

He attached the note to the fence and knelt toward the aircraft wreckage, placing his brother's favorite tuna "gimbap," snacks and soju in a paper cup. Bowing his head, he wept uncontrollably.

Messages of gratitude were also left for the flight crew. One letter read, "To the captain, co-pilot and crew, who gave their all to save lives — thank you for your hard work. May you rest peacefully in a better place." Below it were two bottles of soju and six paper cups filled with alcohol.

Lee Su-ji, 24, who rushed to the site upon hearing the news of a friend's death, stood frozen at the scene, unable to approach the wreckage.

"This is unbearable. What do we do? Seeing that ... it's driving me insane," she cried, before leaving the area.

A handwritten letter to the captain, co-pilot and crew is seen as mourners continue to visit the Jeju Air crash site. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon

Painstaking recovery efforts

Special Warfare Command disaster recovery personnel continued their meticulous search for remains and personal belongings around the wreckage.

Forming a line, they combed through reed beds and carefully examined debris, including aircraft seats, using small tools like hoes to recover even the smallest traces of victims. Every piece of what remained was carefully placed into ziplock bags to ensure nothing was overlooked.

Lee, 74, who traveled from Gwangju to receive the partial remains of her son, pleaded desperately at the fence.

"That chair ... my son might have been sitting there. Please, just let me touch his final seat one last time. I beg you. I can't even recognize his face. Just one last time," she cried, pushing her trembling hand through the fence's gaps.

Watching her anguish, a recovery worker approached a damaged aircraft seat, its leather covering torn, and bowed silently in respect.

Korean authorities announced Wednesday that all 179 victims of the deadly Jeju Air plane crash have been identified, four days after the tragic accident.

A woman places a photo to pay tribute to a victim at the Jeju Air crash site at Muan International Airport. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.