Seoul, December 30, 2024 – The Europe Today: South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok on Monday directed an emergency safety inspection of the nation’s entire airline operation system, following the country’s deadliest air disaster that claimed 179 lives.
The tragic accident occurred on Sunday when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, belly-landed at Muan International Airport, skidding off the runway and colliding with a wall before erupting in flames. The flight was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. Only two crew members survived and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Choi, speaking at a disaster management meeting in Seoul, emphasized that the immediate focus is on identifying the victims, supporting their families, and ensuring the survivors receive the best possible care. “No available resources should be spared for these efforts,” he stated.
The acting president also called for transparency in the ongoing investigation. “Even before the final results are out, we ask that officials transparently disclose the accident investigation process and promptly inform the bereaved families,” Choi said.
He further instructed the Transport Ministry to launch an emergency safety inspection of the country’s aviation systems once recovery work is completed, in an effort to prevent similar tragedies.
Investigators are currently probing potential causes, including bird strikes and weather conditions. Fire officials noted that key questions remain unanswered, such as why the plane’s landing gear was not deployed and why it was traveling at such high speed during landing.
This incident marks a dark chapter in South Korea’s aviation history, prompting calls for stringent reviews of operational safety standards across the industry.
