Trump's secretary of state nominee voices 'deepest condolences' over deadly plane crash in Korea

State Sen. Marco Rubio, nominated to serve as secretary of state under Donald Trump's second presidential, leaves his office in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

, Dec. 10. AFP-Yonhap U.



S. President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state nominee has expressed "deep condolences" over a recent deadly plane crash in Korea, which claimed the lives of 179 people. Florida Sen.

Marco Rubio, nominated to serve as secretary of state for Trump's second term, wrote on the social media platform X on Monday (U.S. time), "Our hearts go out to the Korean people.

We share in your grief over the tragic loss of 179 people." On Sunday, a Jeju Air plane from Bangkok crashed into the outer wall of Muan International Airport in southwest Korea during a belly landing, leaving 179 of the 181 people on board dead. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones amid this immeasurable pain," Rubio said, adding, "Our prayers are with you and your great nation.

" The message is the first expression of condolences from Trump's team over the plane crash. On the day of the tragedy, U.S.

President Joe Biden said that he and first lady Jill Biden are "deeply saddened" by the loss of life and pledged to provide any necessary assistance. (Yonhap).