South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok has directed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to conduct an emergency safety inspection of the country’s airline operation system following the devastating crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan International Airport on Sunday. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of 179 passengers and left only two survivors, marks the deadliest air accident in South Korea’s history.
At a disaster control meeting in Seoul on Monday, Choi Sang-mok pledged full government support for the victims’ families and declared a seven-day national mourning period. The acting president emphasized that the administration would spare no effort in ensuring the safety of air travel and addressing the needs of the bereaved.
The crash occurred after the pilot issued a mayday call following a bird strike alert, according to Joo Jong-wan, director of the aviation policy division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. However, the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation. Jeju Air Chief Executive Officer Kim E-bae, speaking in a statement on Sunday, refrained from confirming the bird strike as the cause, emphasizing that government agencies must complete their inquiry before drawing conclusions.
At a press briefing, Jeju Air’s head of the management support office, Song Kyung-hoon, assured that the airline would provide comprehensive support to the victims and their families. Song Kyung-hoon also rejected allegations of mechanical faults or insufficient safety measures contributing to the crash, stating that Jeju Air prioritizes uncompromised aircraft maintenance.
The accident has raised concerns about broader safety issues within the country’s aviation sector. On Monday, a separate Jeju Air flight returned to Gimpo International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a suspected issue with its landing gear, further highlighting the need for thorough inspections.
The tragedy unfolds against the backdrop of political turmoil in South Korea. Choi Sang-mok assumed the role of acting president after his predecessor, Han Duck-soon, was impeached on Friday over his refusal to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court. This followed the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol earlier in the month, who had controversially imposed martial law for six hours.
The crash has also had economic repercussions, with Jeju Air’s shares plummeting to an all-time low, dropping 8.53% on Monday according to FactSet data. Stocks of other South Korean airlines exhibited volatility as investors reacted to the unfolding crisis.
As investigations continue, the government faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence in air travel and address systemic weaknesses in its aviation safety framework.
