Jimmy Carter Remembered, Syria-Israel Relations, South Korea Plane Crash

Summary

Up First from NPR: December 30, 2024

NPR's "Up First" delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news stories. In this episode, hosts Steve Inskeep and Layla Falden delve into the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, unprecedented developments in Syria-Israel relations, and a tragic plane crash in South Korea. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

---

1. Remembering Former President Jimmy Carter

Legacy and State Funeral Plans

The episode opens with heartfelt reflections on the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100. President Biden announced a series of events to honor Carter, including a state funeral. Steve Inskeep remarks, “Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds” (03:26).

Early Life and Political Rise

Stephen Fowler, NPR’s correspondent in Atlanta, provides an in-depth look at Carter’s journey from his humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia, to the White House. Carter's military service as a Navy lieutenant and his management of the family peanut farm laid the foundation for his political career. Fowler notes, “Carter was a rural, religious white Southerner, but also said in his gubernatorial inaugural address that the time for racial discrimination is over” (04:12).

Presidency Highlights and Challenges

Carter's single term as president was marked by significant achievements and substantial challenges. Notable accomplishments included the Camp David Accords, which fostered peace between Israel and Egypt, and the establishment of the Department of Education. However, his administration grappled with rampant inflation, soaring energy costs, and the Iran hostage crisis, leading to his unpopularity and eventual defeat in the re-election campaign.

Post-Presidency Impact

Contrary to the struggles during his presidency, Carter's post-presidential years have cemented his reputation as a global humanitarian. Through the Carter Center, he championed initiatives in global health, democracy, and human rights, notably working to eradicate the guinea worm disease in Africa. His efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, underscoring his enduring commitment to peace and humanitarianism.

State Funeral Arrangements

Stephen Fowler adds, “He'll get a state funeral. It'll be a week-plus of events,” detailing the national mourning plans set by President Biden. The Carter Center in Atlanta will play a central role in the commemorations, celebrating Carter's extensive contributions to society.

---

2. Syria-Israel Relations: A Surprising Shift

Unprecedented Overture from Syria

In a groundbreaking development, a high-ranking Syrian official, Governor Meher Marwan of Damascus, expressed a desire for cordial relations with Israel during an interview with NPR. Layla Falden highlights the surprising nature of this statement, emphasizing the longstanding state of war between Syria and Israel since 1948.

Governor Marwan's Statement

During the interview, Governor Marwan conveyed Syria's intent to pursue coexistence with Israel, stating, “We don't want to meddle in anything that would threaten Israel's security or the security of any other country” (07:48). This declaration is particularly notable given the context of ongoing conflicts, including the Israel-Hamas war and historical tensions in the region.

Regional and International Reactions

The announcement has sparked significant reaction across the Middle East. Hadil El Shalchi, NPR's correspondent in Damascus, reports that the message received extensive coverage on both Israeli and Arab media, leading to widespread discourse on social media platforms. However, the response has been mixed, with many Arab nations expressing skepticism and resistance, especially in light of recent conflicts like the Gaza war, which resulted in over 45,000 Palestinian casualties.

Government Backlash and Clarifications

In the wake of Marwan's statements, the Syrian government issued a statement distancing itself from his remarks, asserting that they do not reflect the views of the Foreign Ministry or leader Ahmed Al-Shar. Marwan subsequently retracted his comments in a video, clarifying, “I did not touch on the topic of peace with Israel, and it's not my right to do so” (10:14). Additionally, HTS leader Al-Shar reiterated a stance against political or regional unrest without directly addressing the normalization of relations.

Implications for US Mediation Efforts

Governor Marwan’s overture appears aimed at encouraging US mediation in fostering peaceful relations between Syria and Israel. Despite the initial rejection from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the situation underscores potential shifts in regional diplomacy and the complex interplay of political agendas in the Middle East.

---

3. South Korea Plane Crash: A National Tragedy

Details of the Disaster

Tragedy struck South Korea with one of the worst aviation disasters in the country’s history. A plane's landing gear failed to deploy during landing, causing it to skid off the runway and crash into a wall. Of the 180 people on board, only two survived. Steve Inskeep introduces the report, highlighting the severity of the incident (10:49).

On-the-Ground Reporting

Anthony Kuhn, NPR’s correspondent at Muon International Airport in South Shola Province, provides a vivid depiction of the aftermath. He describes rows of tents set up for sheltering passengers, with families and various support groups offering food and counseling. "Families, the Red Cross, church groups, volunteer groups are all here providing food and counseling," Kuhn reports (11:21).

Emotional Toll and Public Reaction

The emotional impact on the families is palpable. Kuhn recounts the anguish of survivors and bereaved relatives, emphasizing the profound grief and frustration experienced by those waiting for answers. A poignant moment features a survivor, Kim Yong Hon, expressing his despair: “Why do I have to bear this burden of pain?” after losing nine relatives in the crash (12:57).

Investigation and Cause

Initial reports suggest that the plane may have struck a bird, leading the pilot to attempt an emergency landing, which unfortunately resulted in the crash. Aviation officials are scrutinizing control tower data and examining black box recorders to determine the precise cause. Additionally, authorities plan to inspect all Boeing 737-800 models to rule out any broader mechanical issues (13:44).

Recovery Efforts

Recovery efforts are underway, with approximately 146 of the 179 victims identified. However, only five bodies remain relatively intact due to the crash's force, complicating the process of returning remains to families. Kuhn highlights the logistical challenges, noting, “Authorities say they have recovered over 600 body parts, and only after those parts are matched with the right bodies will they be returned to their families” (13:14).

National Mourning and Support

South Korea has initiated days of mourning to honor the victims, reflecting the nation’s collective grief. Support groups continue to provide essential services to affected families as investigations progress.

---

Conclusion

In this episode of "Up First," NPR delivers a poignant remembrance of Jimmy Carter's enduring legacy, sheds light on a surprising potential shift in Syria-Israel relations, and reports on a devastating aviation disaster in South Korea. Through insightful reporting and emotional narratives, the hosts ensure listeners are well-informed about these significant global events.

For a more in-depth exploration of Jimmy Carter's legacy, listeners are encouraged to check out the special episode "The Sunday Story" available on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Inskeep on Jimmy Carter: “Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds” (03:26).
• Governor Marwan on Syria-Israel relations: “We don't want to meddle in anything that would threaten Israel's security or the security of any other country” (07:48).
• Survivor Kim Yong Hon: “Why do I have to bear this burden of pain?” (12:57).

Timestamps:

• Jimmy Carter Segment: 03:26 to 07:03
• Syria-Israel Relations: 07:12 to 10:52
• South Korea Plane Crash: 10:58 to 14:09

This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the essence of the episode for those who have not listened.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, Layla, we've made it almost to the end of 2024, thank God. Well, it was an interesting year. We had a presidential election, the Israel Hamas war continued, Hurricane Helene, the Summer Olympics. Astonishing stories, a story you covered just in recent weeks that nobody seemed to see coming, the fall of Syria's ruler.

[Layla Falden]

Something you just couldn't even imagine just a few months ago.

[Steve Inskeep]

Absolutely.

[Layla Falden]

But because NPR is, after all, National Public Radio, we rely on support from the public, that's you to keep this free service going. So please join us in our mission to create a more informed public by signing up for npr.

[Steve Inskeep]

Npr. Oh, NPR Plus. Sorry, go on.

[Layla Falden]

Npr.

[Steve Inskeep]

Got it.

[Layla Falden]

It's a simple recurring donation that gets you perks, like sponsor free listening to more than 25 NPR podcasts, including. Up first. Thank you. If you're already a Plus supporter. If not, you can sign up right now at plus.npr.org that's plus.npr.org maybe it's your New Year's resolution. Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100.

[Steve Inskeep]

Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds. President Biden announced more than a week of events, including a state funeral.

[Layla Falden]

I'm Layla Falden. That's Steve Inskeep. And this is UP first from NPR News. A high ranking Syrian official tells NPR he wants the US to mediate cordial relations between Syria and Israel. Those remarks drew a sharp reaction throughout the Arab world and put Syrian leadership in damage control.

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, a man talks of seeing off family members who boarded an airplane that crashed over the weekend. Our colleague Anthony Kuhn is at a South Korean airport where many families want answers. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from BetterHelp. This holiday season, do something for a special person in your life. You give yourself the gift of better mental health. BetterHelp online therapy connects you with a qualified therapist via phone, video or live chat. It's convenient and affordable and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Having someone to talk to is truly a gift, especially during the holidays. Visit betterhelp.com NPR to get 10% off your first month.

This message comes from Noom. Using psychology and biology to build personal meal plans to fit your lifestyle, taking into account dietary restrictions, medical issues and other personal needs. With daily lessons that are personalized to you and your goals. Noom's flexible program focuses on progress instead of perfection to help you build new habits for a healthier lifestyle. Sign up for your trial [e-mail]. this message comes from GiveWell. GiveWell provides rigorous, transparent research about the best giving opportunities so that donors can make informed decisions about high impact giving. To learn more, go to givewell.org and pick podcast and enter NPR at checkout.

[Steve Inskeep]

We are expecting more than a week of events to remember the life of Jimmy Carter, who's died at the age of 100.

[Layla Falden]

President Biden made a statement about his predecessor who was elected in 1976.

[Steve Inskeep]

Millions of people all around the world, all over the world, feel they lost a friend as well, even though they never met him. And that's because Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words, but by his deeds.

[Layla Falden]

Those deeds spread across many decades. His single term in office was remembered for inflation, international unrest and the seizure of American hostages in Tehran. He also made significant changes in the US Government that endure to this day. And after leaving the White House, he founded the Carter center, which promoted health care and monitored elections around the world.

[Steve Inskeep]

Let's go back to the beginning of this hundred year story. NPR's Stephen Fowler is in Atlanta, one of the places where Carter will be remembered. Stephen, good morning.

[Stephen Fowler]

Good morning.

[Steve Inskeep]

How did Jimmy Carter emerge on the national scene?

[Stephen Fowler]

Well, first Carter was born in this tiny southwest Georgia town called Plains. He joined the Navy. He was a lieutenant, the only US President to have qualified on submarines. And after he left the service, he ran his family's peanut farm. Then he became a state senator before becoming becoming governor of Georgia. He was a rural, religious white Southerner, but also said in his gubernatorial inaugural address that the time for racial discrimination is over. He had an unorthodox campaign style while he was governor. He befriended popular Georgia musicians like the Allman Brothers who played concerts for him. And he had a peanut brigade of friends and family and volunteers who fanned out across the country to spread his message. Carter's presidential inauguration also came after the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. So many saw him as the right person at the right time for the mood of the American people.

[Steve Inskeep]

So together in a spirit of individual sacrifice for the common good, we must simply do our best. He told people he would never lie to them and that he would never duck a controversial issue. But there certainly turned out to be plenty of controversy during his presidency.

[Stephen Fowler]

Well, that's arguably an understatement, Steve. I mean, there were signature achievements when Carter was in office, like the Camp David accords that brokered peace between Israel and Egypt. He also did a ton to reorganize how the executive branch operated. He elevated the role of the vice president and did things like establish the Department of Education, but he had issues with Congress. He dealt with rampant inflation and soaring energy costs. And there was also the Iran hostage crisis. Carter faced a shellacking in his re election campaign and he left office as one of the most unpopular presidents in history.

[Steve Inskeep]

There are historians in more recent times who've argued that his presidency was more successful than it seemed at the time. But the one thing that people seem to agree on now is his post presidency, more than 40 years long.

[Stephen Fowler]

He didn't stay in politics, but he didn't shy away from using his platform either. You could see Jimmy Carter building affordable housing with the Habitat for Humanity nonprofit. He taught at Emory University in Atlanta. And for years he would speak to first year students, answering questions about politics and things like what's your favorite type of peanut butter? But his signature work with the eponymous Carter center, along with his late wife Rosalind, vowed to, quote, wage peace through work on democracy, global health, human rights, including effectively eradicating this parasitic disease, the guinea worm, in Africa. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

[Steve Inskeep]

And now we're going to spend more than a week remembering him. What are the funeral plans?

[Stephen Fowler]

He'll get a state funeral. It'll be a week plus of events. President Biden set January 9th as a national day of mourning and the plans have been in place and more will be revealed soon, including at the Carter center here in Atlanta, just down the road from me.

[Steve Inskeep]

Stephen, thanks very much. Really appreciate it.

[Stephen Fowler]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

That's NPR's Stephen Fowler in Atlanta.

[Layla Falden]

In an interview with NPR, a high ranking Syrian official said something unprecedented about relations with Israel.

[Steve Inskeep]

Fair, this is fascinating. He told NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi that Syria wants to have cordial ties and wants the US to help facilitate cordial ties. Syria and Israel. Not something you hear every day from an Arab led government, let alone one made up of rebels who once had ties to Al Qaeda. The shockwaves from that statement are reverberating through the region.

[Layla Falden]

For more, Hadil joins us now from Damascus. Hi Hadil.

[Hadil El Shalchi]

Hello.

[Layla Falden]

Okay, so tell us more about that meeting. What exactly did he say?

[Hadil El Shalchi]

Well, this is the governor of Damascus, Meher Marwan. He's appointed by the leader of Haytahri Hasham or hts, Ahmed Al Shar. So he's in his inner circle really. One of Syria's leading officials. Marwan met us in a massive ornate room. He was very pleasant, wore a suit and tie. He only shook hands with the two male colleagues with me and we had a wide ranging interview almost an hour. But at the end, he raised the subject of Israel, which frankly surprised us. You know, remember, Israel has been bombing Syria regularly since the regime fell, and it sees some of the Golan Heights. The governor started off by saying that it was, quote, natural that Israel felt some fear when HTs took power, and so it may have advanced a little or bombed a little. Marwan went on to say that Syria's problem was not with Israel and that Syria couldn't be an opponen to Israel and wanted coexistence. Marwan said, we don't want to meddle in anything that would threaten Israel's security or the security of any other country.

[Layla Falden]

Syria has never recognized Israel as a state, so this statement's pretty remarkable. Does it indicate the new Syrian leaders plan a different approach with Israel?

[Hadil El Shalchi]

Well, it was very obvious he wanted this message to be heard in the United States. You know, he set up and he sat up in his chair, made sure we heard him carefully. He said he wanted the United States to use his influence to help mediate this coexistence with Israel. A U.S. official told NPR that the U.S. had relayed the message to Israel. And in a statement to npr, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that it rejected any overture from HTS and Leila, like you said, it was remarkable for two reasons. First, Syria and Israel have been in a state of war since Israel's creation in 1948. They've never had diplomatic ties. And second, this is a message coming from a group designated a terrorist organization by the United States with former affiliation to Al Qaeda.

[Layla Falden]

And what was the region? Regional reaction?

[Hadil El Shalchi]

I mean. Well, first of all, the news got huge traction in the Middle East. Almost every Israeli and Arab media outlet picked it up. The parts of the interview I used in my radio piece of his voice were played all over Arabic social media. And then that's when the backlash began. Israel and many of its Arab neighbors, like, you know, have been at war for decades. And talk of normalization and normalizing relations is controversial, especially after the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians. So hts discussing possible peace with Israel was shocking to many Arabs and in fact, unwelcome.

[Layla Falden]

And has there been blowback for the governor?

[Hadil El Shalchi]

First, the government itself distanced itself from Marwan and his comments with a statement saying that they did not represent the views of the Foreign Ministry or of those of Shara, which is contrary to what the governor told us. And in the evening, he issued a video distancing himself from his comments to npr. He said, I did not touch on the topic of peace with Israel, and it's not my right to do so. And yesterday evening, in an interview with an Arabic TV news channel, HTS leader Shara didn't address Israel directly, but said he didn't want Syria to become a source of political or regional unrest.

[Layla Falden]

NPR's Hadil El Shalchi in Damascus. Thank you.

[Hadil El Shalchi]

You're welcome.

[Steve Inskeep]

South Korea has begun days of mourning after one of the worst aviation disasters in the country's history.

[Layla Falden]

A plane's landing gear failed to deploy and it skidded off a Runway and crashed into a wall. Of 180 people on board, only two emerged alive.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Anthony Kuhn is at the scene of the disaster. Hey there, Anthony.

[Anthony Kuhn]

Hey, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

What are you seeing?

[Anthony Kuhn]

Well, I'm in the departures hall of the Muon International Airport in South shola Province, about 180 miles south of Seoul. And right in front of me are rows of tents to shelter the passengers. Families, the Red Cross, church groups, volunteer groups are all here providing food and counseling. And now that all the people have been accounted for and it's clear that there were only two survivors, the focus is on taking care of the bereaved and digging the facts out about how this crash happened.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah. Which always takes a long time with aviation disasters. What are you hearing from family members?

[Anthony Kuhn]

Well, I don't know if you can hear it right now, but there are sobs, wails, anguished cries coming out from the tents. There's frustration at the waiting that people have to do. There's disbelief at official explanations. Just to give you an example, family members and officials have been meeting here throughout the day just discussing how to deal with the aftermath of the crash. And suddenly this morning, a middle aged man named Kim Yong Hon started yelling in frustration. Sounded like this. So Mr. Kim then explained to everybody that he had traveled with a group of 18 people to Thailand and they returned to South Korea without him. And he lost nine relatives, including three close family members. Let's hear him again. He said, when I parted with my family on the last day of the trip, I had no idea I would end up here. Out of the four in my family, out of 18 in the group, I'm the only one that survived. Why? Why do I have to bear this burden of pain? Now aviation officials have said that the pilot reported that the plane hit a bird and Mr. Kim was angry and upset because he just couldn't believe or accept that this would be enough to cause the crash.

[Steve Inskeep]

What else are you hearing from family members?

[Anthony Kuhn]

Well, right now their first concern is reclaiming their families members bodies. At present, about 146of the 179 victims have been identified. The problem is that only five of those bodies are relatively intact because of the force of the collision. Authorities say they have recovered over 600 body parts, and only after those parts are matched with the right bodies will they be returned to their families.

[Steve Inskeep]

Amazing that two people survived. What information is available about the cause?

[Anthony Kuhn]

Investigators are really busy looking at control tower data, taking black box data recorders back to Seoul. The country is going to check all the Boeing 737, 800 airplanes. There's so many factors to be examined, and it could take a long time.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Anthony Kuhn, thanks for your reporting from the scene. Really appreciate it.

[Anthony Kuhn]

Thank you, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's up first for this Monday, December 30th. I'm Steve Inskeep.

[Layla Falden]

And I'm Layla Falden. For a fuller look at the late President Jimmy Carter's legacy, check out yesterday's special episode with Rachel Martin and Don Gonyea on the Sunday Story from Up First. While Carter struggled to show he was a strong leader in office, he later became an almost unstoppable force for peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. Take a listen as we consider the legacy of the man widely called America's greatest former president. The Sunday Story From up first on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Inskeep]

Today's up first was edited by Anna Yukonanoff, Andrew Sussman, Ryland Barton, Jan Johnson and Alice Wolf Wolfling. It was produced by Katie Klein, Nia Dumas and Julie Deppenbrock. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us tomorrow.

[NPR Sponsor]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to up first sponsor free through Amazon Music, or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get up first [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.

This message comes from NPR sponsor Saatva, maker of quality handcrafted mattresses. Founder and CEO Ron Rudson shares one of their core values.

[Anthony Kuhn]

At Saatva, we believe sleep does unlock a superpower.

[Stephen Fowler]

When you wake up and you're totally.

[Steve Inskeep]

Refreshed, you go after things more. And it all starts with being on the right mattress.

[Stephen Fowler]

And that's what Saatva has been inspired.

[Anthony Kuhn]

By from the day that we started.

[NPR Sponsor]

To learn more, go to saatva.com NPR.

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial [e-mail] NPR.