Children wait to pay respects to the victims of the deadly Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 crash at the joint memorial set up at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Children wait to pay respects to the victims of the deadly Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 crash at the joint memorial set up at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province on Thursday. (Yonhap)

Families of those who died in the deadly Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 crash urged the government to extend operation of the joint memorials, at least in the Jeolla region where most of the victims were from.

Park Han-shin, the representative for the bereaved families' group, said he requested that operation of memorials in the Gwangju and South Jeolla Provinces be extended until Feb. 15, which is when 49-day Buddhist funeral services for the victims would have been completed.

"Even if (the government) removes memorials from other regions, please protect those located in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province," said Park, who lost his brother in the deadliest aviation tragedy to occur in South Korea. "It will be even more difficult (for the families) after the funeral and with no memorials, there will be no place for the families to discuss matters or (a place) for anyone to console them."

He conveyed these requests in a meeting with acting President Choi Sang-mok, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Transportation Minister Park Sang-woo.

Minister Park said he could not give a definitive answer, but added it would be possible for heads of regional governments to adjust details related to the memorials.

Joint memorials for the 179 victims have been operated in 100 locations across the country since Monday, a day after the fatal plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. Their operation will continue for the duration of the national mourning period, lasting until Saturday.

A traditional Buddhist funeral service pays respects to the deceased for 49 days, during which he or she is believed to undergo trials of the seven kings of the underworld once every seven days. The spirit of the deceased is believed to be reincarnated after the final trial on the 49th day, which is when the funeral ends.

While some still have the 49-day funerals, it is customary for most Koreans to hold three-day funerals, with the body of the deceased being sent to the grave or crematorium on the third day.