SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean officials on Monday vowed a sweeping review of the country’s aviation safety systems after a devastating plane crash that killed 179 people, the nation’s deadliest air disaster in decades.
The tragedy, which unfolded in dramatic fashion on Sunday, has shaken the public’s confidence and raised alarming questions about whether regulatory failures may have played a role.
“The essence of a responsible response would be renovating the aviation safety systems on the whole to prevent recurrences of similar incidents and building a safer Republic of South Korea,” said acting President Choi Sang Mok, who presided over an emergency task force meeting.
The Boeing 737-800 operated by budget carrier Jeju Air aborted its first landing attempt at Muan International Airport for unknown reasons, then received a bird strike warning during its second approach. The plane slammed into a concrete barrier while trying to land without its front landing gear deployed, bursting into flames.
With the country already reeling from the recent successive impeachments of its president and prime minister, the tragedy has triggered an outpouring of national grief and soul-searching.
“Many people worry how effectively the South Korean government will handle the disaster as it grapples with a leadership vacuum,” the report noted, alluding to the political turmoil that has paralyzed the government.
Transport Ministry officials said they would conduct safety inspections on all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines, as well as a broader review of Jeju Air’s safety practices. Representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing were expected to join the investigation.
The crash left 146 bodies identified, with authorities working to collect DNA and fingerprint samples from the remaining 33 victims. It marked South Korea’s deadliest air disaster since 1997, when a Korean Airlines plane crashed in Guam, killing 228 people.
Observers said the plane appeared to be under control and traveling in a straight line, suggesting the concrete barrier may have been a key factor in the high death toll. But the cause remained uncertain, with conflicting theories about potential engine trouble or hydraulic failure.
The public mood was one of shock and shame, with the government announcing a seven-day national mourning period. Some questioned whether the crash reflected broader safety lapses, echoing concerns raised after other recent disasters in South Korea.
“The crash left many South Koreans shocked and ashamed, with the government announcing a seven-day national mourning period through January 4,” the report stated.
As the investigation unfolds, South Korean officials face the daunting task of restoring public trust and ensuring such a tragedy never happens again.
