Official announcements from South Korean authorities

South Korea Probes Concrete Wall's Role in Deadly Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 Crash at Muan Airport, 179 Killed

Dec 31, 2024, 08:45 AM

South Korean authorities have begun releasing the bodies of victims from a Jeju Air plane crash that occurred on Sunday at Muan International Airport, killing 179 out of the 181 people on board. The crash, which involved a Boeing 737-800, has raised questions about the role of a concrete wall at the end of the runway, which the aircraft collided with after belly-landing. Only two flight attendants survived the incident. The government is reviewing regulations concerning the concrete wall to determine if it complied with safety standards. Initial reports suggest a possible bird strike as a contributing factor to the crash. As of Tuesday, the identities of 174 victims have been confirmed, with efforts ongoing to identify the remaining five. The tragedy has prompted Acting President Choi Sang-mok to call for a comprehensive overhaul of air safety systems in South Korea, as the country observes a seven-day period of mourning.