Acting President Choi Sang-mok of South Korea has ordered an urgent safety inspection of the nation’s airline system following the deadliest air disaster in the country. A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash at Muan International Airport resulted in the tragic deaths of 175 passengers and four crew members, with two crew members surviving. Identifying victims, supporting families, and caring for survivors are top priorities, as emphasized during a disaster management meeting in Seoul. Transparency in the investigation process and prompt communication with affected families are also stressed. The transport ministry is tasked with conducting an emergency safety inspection of the entire aircraft operation system to prevent similar accidents.
Authorities are considering a special inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines. The crash occurred as the plane attempted to land from Bangkok, with possible factors being bird strikes and weather conditions. Questions remain regarding the aircraft’s speed and landing gear status during the incident. The pilots reported a bird strike before declaring a mayday and attempting to go around, leading to the tragic crash.
Most victims were local residents returning from Thailand, with two Thai nationals also losing their lives. Families await identification of the remaining victims, as investigators work to determine the cause of the crash. Emergency workers are sorting through the wreckage at Muan airport, which was engulfed in flames and debris during the tragic incident.
Transportation ministry officials have stated that the flight data recorder of the jet involved in the recent incident has been recovered. However, there are indications that the recorder may have suffered external damage. It is still uncertain whether the data contained within the recorder is intact enough to undergo analysis. The closure of Muan airport is set to continue until Wednesday, while the country’s other international and regional airports, including the major Incheon International Airport, are operating according to schedule.
Jeju Air shares experienced a significant decline on Monday, reaching their lowest level ever recorded, with trading dropping by as much as 15.7%. In accordance with global aviation protocols, South Korea will take the lead in conducting a civil investigation into the crash, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States automatically participating due to the plane’s design and construction origins in the U.S. The NTSB has assembled a team of American investigators to assist South Korea’s aviation authorities. Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration are also actively involved in the investigative process.
Choi, who has been overseeing the recovery operations and investigation, assumed the role of acting leader just three days ago following the impeachment of the country’s president and prime minister due to the brief implementation of martial law. Additional words have been included in paragraph 12 to provide a more complete account of the situation.
