Park Sang-woo, the Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (국토교통부, MOLIT) of South Korea, has said that he would resign following the Jeju Air
crash that happened on December 29, 2024.
Heavy responsibility
In a press briefing on January 7, Sang-woo said that he would resign from his post, according to a report by Reuters. The Minister added that he felt heavy responsibility for the accident, which claimed the lives of 179 out of 181 people that were onboard the Boeing 737-800
.
Meanwhile, The Korean Herald reported that Sang-woo clarified that he would offer his resignation after managing the current crisis and when the political situation in the country would stabilize.
Photo: KITTIKUN YOKSAP | Shutterstock
Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of South Korea, declared martial law on December 3, 2024, derailing the country into a political crisis that has included votes of impeachment – including of Han Duck-soo, the prime minister of South Korea, who briefly served as the acting president – and accusations of treason from various parties, including Yeol’s own.
“As the minister of the primary department overseeing aviation safety, I feel the deepest sorrow and offer my sincerest apologies regarding the Jeju Air plane tragedy.”
Related
179 Dead After Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 Crashes Off Runway In Muan, South Korea
A Jeju Air 737-800 crash at Muan Airport claims hundreds of lives.
Crashing into a concrete structure
The crash happened on December 29, 2024, when the Jeju Air 737-800, registered as HL8088, was conducting a landing with its gear up at Muan International Airport (MWX). However, with too much speed as it landed, the aircraft proceeded to scrape along the runway, and crashed into a concrete structure at the end of the runway.
Out of the 181 people onboard the aircraft operating Jeju Air flight 7C2216
from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Muan, including 173 passengers and six crew members, only two flight attendants survived the accident. The two Jeju Air flight crew members were seated at the aft of the 737-800.
Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock
Since the incident, Muan International has been closed until January 14, according to the latest update by MOLIT, which extended the airport’s closure by seven days.
In a statement on December 29, Kim Yi-bae, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Jeju Air, apologized for the accident, expressing his deepest condolences to the passengers and affected families.
“As of now, it is difficult to determine the cause of the accident, and we must wait for the official investigation announcement from the relevant government agencies. Regardless of the cause of the accident, I feel responsible as the CEO.”
Related
South Korea Extends Muan International Airport Shutdown After Jeju Air Crash
The airport will remain closed until at least January 14, according to South Korean officials.
Safety inspections
Following the incident, MOLIT initiated safety inspections of the country’s 737-800
fleet, which includes 101 aircraft from Air Incheon, Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air
, and T’Way Air. The ministry noted that the inspections will continue until January 10.
Furthermore, South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (항공·철도사고조사위원회, ARAIB) finished the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and sent the flight data recorder (FDR) for analysis to the United States in partnership with the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB
).
Photo: Suparat Chairatprasert | Shutterstock
MOLIT has also planned safety inspections of air navigation safety facilities at the country’s 13 airports, including Incheon International Airport
(ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP), serving Seoul, the South Korean capital.
Related
NTSB To Assist South Korean Aviation Authority With Investigation Into Jeju Air Flight 2216
The crash comes at a time of extraordinary political instability in South Korea.
