South Korean police conducted a comprehensive search of the Ministry of Transportation following public doubts about officials' handling of the Jeju Air plane crash at Muan Airport, the country's deadliest air disaster. Investigation results clearly indicate that a "cost-cutting concrete embankment" caused the plane to explode, resulting in nearly 180 deaths.
South Korean police raided the headquarters of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in Sejong City to gather additional evidence regarding the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash on 29 December 2024. The search focused on whether government officials were negligent or concealed facts in the case. An official investigation report is expected by mid-year.
The incident occurred when a Boeing 737-800 suffered engine failure after a bird strike during landing. Pilots attempted a belly landing, sliding along the runway. Experts said everyone should have survived, but the plane collided with a raised concrete structure at the end of Muan International Airport's runway, causing a massive explosion that killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew.
The Board of Audit and Inspection's findings revealed a shocking truth: the concrete structure was built to "cut costs" instead of leveling the sloped ground to install a radio antenna system. This violated safety standards, which require such structures to be designed to break easily upon impact.
Public outrage flared again when human remains and victims' belongings were found discarded mixed with debris in garbage bags from the crash site. Families of the deceased had long demanded investigation of this waste but were ignored.
President Lee Jae-myung ordered an urgent special investigation into the delays in recovering victims' bodies and demanded strict disciplinary action against responsible officials. Representatives of the victims' families stated that the Ministry of Transportation’s apology was "too late and insufficient," likening it to a second killing of the victims.
Currently, South Korean aviation authorities have ordered the removal of similar concrete structures from seven airports nationwide to prevent recurrence. Meanwhile, police are intensifying investigations into potential corruption or safety negligence during the construction of Muan Airport.
/BBC