South Korea Orders Airline Safety Inspection After Jeju Air Crash
South Korea’s acting President, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country’s airline operations following the deadly crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan International Airport on Sunday. The crash resulted in 179 fatalities, with only two survivors, marking it the deadliest air accident in South Korean history.
Speaking at a disaster control meeting in Seoul, Choi emphasized that the government would offer full support to the families of the victims, declaring a seven-day mourning period. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause.
According to Joo Jong-wan, the Director of the Aviation Policy Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, the pilot declared a mayday after issuing a bird strike alert. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae, however, refrained from confirming or denying the reports, stating that the official investigation by government agencies would determine the cause of the crash.
In a separate press briefing, Song Kyung-hoon, Jeju Air’s Head of the Management Support Office, dismissed any accusations of mechanical faults or inadequate safety protocols being a factor in the incident. “This crash is not about any maintenance issues,” Song said, emphasizing the importance of strict aircraft maintenance.
The airline’s insurance policy, which covers up to $1 billion, is in place to support the victims and their families. On Monday, another Jeju Air flight returned to Gimpo International Airport after a landing gear issue was detected shortly after takeoff.
The crash comes at a politically sensitive time in South Korea, with Choi serving as the second acting president in just one month after the impeachment of Han Duck-soon. Han was impeached following controversy over his reluctance to appoint justices to the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Shares of Jeju Air plummeted by 8.53% on Monday, and other Korean airlines also experienced stock volatility following the accident.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com