Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an emergency inspection of the country’s entire airline operations. The tragic crash occurred at Muan International Airport on Sunday, claiming the lives of 179 people aboard a Jeju Air flight. Only two survivors were reported from the ill-fated flight 7C2216, which skidded off the runway and crashed into a wall shortly after attempting to land.
The incident has shaken the nation, as South Korea grapples with a series of challenges, including political turmoil surrounding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and his temporary successor, Han Duck-soo. Choi, who assumed the interim role just days before, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing himself as “heartbroken.”
Details surrounding the crash suggest that the aircraft, a Boeing B737-800, encountered severe difficulties during its final approach. After air traffic control issued a bird strike warning, the plane was initially forced to hold off its landing. Permission was later granted to land from the opposite direction, but the plane failed to make a safe touch down. The aircraft skidded and crashed shortly after 09:00 local time. Among the 179 victims, most were in their 40s to 60s, with two Thai nationals also confirmed dead.
Following the crash, Jeju Air, the low-cost airline involved, faced additional scrutiny. A separate Jeju Air flight experienced a mechanical issue on Monday, forcing the plane, a Boeing B737-800, to return to Seoul shortly after takeoff. The issue was related to the aircraft’s landing gear, mirroring the model involved in the disaster.
Boeing has offered its support to Jeju Air, and the aircraft manufacturer is reportedly in contact with the airline. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Jeju Air’s leadership bowed deeply in a public apology and expressed their commitment to resolving the situation.
The crash has raised serious concerns about air safety in South Korea, prompting the emergency safety inspection order. The government has committed to investigating the cause of the crash and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future. The results of this investigation will be disclosed to the bereaved families promptly, as the nation mourns the loss of so many lives in this heart-wrenching disaster.
