Jeju Air Crash Relief Free Meal Camp

To console the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster on December 29, members from the Gwangju–Honam region organized a free meal service. As soon as news of the accident broke, pastoral staff and members of the Gwangju–Honam Church Association gathered to assess the immediate needs at the scene. They resolved to provide comfort through warm meals to those in shock and mourning and quickly set up a meal camp at Muan International Airport on January 2.

A Warm Meal That Embraces the Heart

The tragic accident claimed the lives of 179 people, making it the deadliest airliner disaster in Korea. As the entire nation grieved, Muan International Airport—where flight operations were suspended after the incident—became a gathering place for bereaved families, government officials and volunteers who were involved in the investigation and recovery efforts, and mourners.

At the camp set up next to the airport terminal, church members organized themselves into regional groups and provided three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Until the end of January, the Church of God’s free meal camp prepared an average of 800 meals per day. The large-scale food preparation and transportation process proved challenging. For breakfast, members shopped for groceries the day before and gathered at the church around 4 a.m. to cook fresh soup and rice. To ensure that meals were served warm despite the bitter cold, they packed food boxes with insulated containers made with hot water.

Initially, the team prepared soft foods such as mung bean porridge and beef and vegetable porridge for bereaved families, many of whom struggled to eat even a single spoonful of rice. As time passed, they arranged a nutritious and comforting menu, including chicken soup, beef and radish soup, seaweed soup, bulgogi, stir-fried pork, blue crab salad, grilled mackerel, roasted anchovy with nuts, and homemade kimchi. For families who had lost their appetite and lacked the strength to move, they thoughtfully provided packed meals with every serving.

Despite their grief, bereaved families visited the meal camp to express their gratitude for the members’ heartfelt care and dedication. At lunchtime, government officials, volunteers, police officers, and firefighters—who worked tirelessly at the scene day and night—lined up for a warm, home-cooked meal. Many had been urgently dispatched to the site and were struggling to adjust to the unfamiliar environment. In the midst of an atmosphere heavy with sorrow, they found a brief moment of respite as they paused to eat. Before dawn, when the camp was brightly lit, those finishing overnight shifts or starting their early morning duties arrived, their breath visible in the cold air.

During the service period, heavy snowfall sometimes made it difficult to transport food and operate the camp. However, the members carried out their volunteer work with unwavering commitment, even checking the road de-icing schedules to ensure smooth delivery. Volunteers traveled from various regions—including Muan, Gwangju, Hwasun, Mokpo, Naju, Haenam, Yeonggwang, and Yeongam—some making one-way trips of up to 70 kilometers (43 miles). Those unable to participate in person contributed by donating ingredients, such as home-grown sesame, or purchasing large quantities of food supplies to support the effort.

“Thank You for Staying by Our Side”

As many funerals for the victims were held around January 10 and the majority of bereaved families returned home, most volunteer groups at the site also withdrew. However, the members of the Church of God remained. This was because several bereaved families returned to the airport, and officials from various agencies—including the Ministry of Interior and Safety, the Aviation and Railroad Accident Investigation Board of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Muan County Office—were still present to oversee the accident recovery efforts.

With great consideration, the members ensured that anyone who missed mealtime could come in at any time to enjoy a warm, nourishing meal. They even prepared and distributed sipjeondaebo-tang, a traditional Korean herbal soup, and havenia dulcis tea to support the frail bereaved families.

One bereaved family member shared, “I was finally able to eat a proper meal after the Church of God free meal camp was established. Thank you for staying with us even after many volunteers have left.” A representative from a medical supply support group also visited the camp, bringing anti-fatigue tablets and nutritional supplements as a token of appreciation for the members’ dedication.

The members prayed for the repose of the victims and earnestly wished for the bereaved families to find strength and gradually return to their daily lives. Jeong Yeong-mi, a member from Gwangju, expressed, “I cannot begin to imagine the sorrow the bereaved families will carry. I came here, hoping to offer them a shoulder to lean on.” Yang Mi-ran, a member from Hwasun, who volunteered after taking leave from work, added, “No words can truly ease the pain of losing a loved one, but I’m grateful that those who visited the camp found some warmth and comfort in our meals.”

The Church of God free meal service camp will continue to support the remaining bereaved families at the airport until the end of February. By mid-February, the camp had provided a total of 20,000 meals. Pastor Choi Byeong-un of the Gwangju–Honam Church Association stated, “The members have worked tirelessly to prepare hearty meals that help ease the pain of loss, even if only slightly.” He also pledged to continue volunteer efforts that share in the community’s sorrow while bringing comfort and hope to those in need.