South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok has called for an emergency safety inspection of the country’s entire airline system following the nation’s deadliest air disaster. Investigators are working to identify victims and determine what caused the crash.
The tragic incident occurred when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, crash-landed at Muan International Airport. The plane skidded off the runway, hit a wall, and burst into flames. Sadly, all passengers and four crew members lost their lives, while two crew members were rescued alive.
Choi emphasized that the priority is identifying the victims, supporting their families, and ensuring the survivors receive medical care. “Even before the final results, we urge officials to share the investigation process transparently and keep the families informed,” he said during a disaster management meeting in Seoul.
He also directed the transport ministry to conduct a thorough safety inspection of the country’s airline operations to prevent future accidents. The ministry is considering a special inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines.
Details of the Crash
Jeju Air flight 7C2216 was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, and attempted to land at Muan International Airport at around 9 a.m. on Sunday. The pilots reported a bird strike shortly before the crash, after being warned about bird activity near the runway. They declared a mayday and tried to go around but ended up belly-landing and hitting a structure at the end of the runway.
Investigators are analyzing factors such as bird strikes and weather conditions. Experts are also questioning why the plane was traveling at a high speed and why its landing gear wasn’t deployed. Additionally, officials are examining the role of the embankment at the runway’s end in the crash.
The victims included mostly South Korean nationals returning from holidays in Thailand, along with two Thai citizens. Families of the deceased gathered at Muan airport, waiting for updates on their loved ones. One grieving relative, Park Han-shin, said he was informed of his brother’s identification but hadn’t been allowed to see the body.
Ongoing Investigations and Impact
Emergency crews are combing through the wreckage, which was severely damaged in the explosion. The plane’s flight data recorder was recovered but sustained external damage, raising concerns about the usability of its data.
Global aviation authorities are involved in the investigation. South Korea’s transport ministry is leading the inquiry, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash has significantly affected Jeju Air, whose stock prices dropped by nearly 16% on Monday.
Muan International Airport remains closed until Wednesday, but other airports in South Korea, including Incheon International Airport, are operating as normal.
Choi, who has been leading the disaster response, recently assumed his role as acting president after the impeachment of the president and prime minister.
