The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (국토교통부, MOLIT) has extended the closure of Muan International Airport (MWX) as the government’s entities continue to investigate Jeju Air
and the country’s airports and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Closed until January 14
In the latest update on the Jeju Air crash on January 6, MOLIT said that it has extended the closure of Muan International until January 14, citing the ongoing investigation of the crash and specific parts of the aircraft.
This includes the two CFM56-7B engines and other critical components that, according to the Ministry, have been moved to a hangar. Efforts have continued to collect and transport debris from the crash area to a secured area, which has resulted in the extended closure of Muan’s airport.
Photo: DLeng | Shutterstock
MOLIT noted that the country’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (항공·철도사고조사위원회, ARAIB) completed the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) on January 4, and shipped the flight data recorder (FDR) to Washington, DC, the United States, on a flight on January 6.
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The Jeju Air 737-800
, registered as HL8088, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International on December 29. Several videos on social media showed the narrowbody aircraft attempting a belly landing on the airport’s sole runway 01/19 before it crashed into a concrete structure at the end of the runway and burst into flames.
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Identifying victims
MOLIT’s latest update also highlighted that all 179 passengers and flight crew members that had perished during the accident had been identified – 147 via fingerprints, 32 via Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) – and escorted to funeral homes. The two surviving flight attendants have remained hospitalized.
The ministry emphasized that it will continue supporting the victims’ families following funeral services, including psychological checkups and temporary housing. The South Korean government is planning to hold a joint memorial service, which will be supported by the local municipalities of Jeonnam and Gwangju City.
Photo: Thanhliemnguyen | Shutterstock
Jeju Air’s accident on December 29 was the deadliest 737-800 crash in the past few years. The type, which is the predecessor of the 737 MAX
, has been involved in several fatal accidents this decade, including the shooting down of a Ukrainian International Airlines flight in Iran in January 2020 and the China Eastern Airlines
crash near Wuzhou, China in March 2022.
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Inspecting the country’s 737-800 fleet
MOLIT also stated that it has been conducting safety inspections on South Korean carriers’ 737-800 aircraft, which totals 101 airframes operated by Air Incheon (four), Eastar Jet (ten), Jeju Air (39), Jin Air (19), Korean Air
(two), and T’Way Air (27).
The inspections encompass the maintenance history of key systems, pre- and post-flight checks, operational and maintenance record management, and the management of maintenance personnel. According to the Ministry, these will continue until January 10.
Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock
Lastly, the government will review air navigation safety facilities at 13 airports across South Korea, including Seoul Incheon International Airport
(ICN), Gimpo International Airport (GMP), Jeju International Airport (CJU), and others.
The Jeju Air 737-800 that crashed on December 29 had diverted to Seoul-Incheon on December 27. However, local officials emphasized that this was a medical emergency. In 2021, the same airframe was involved in a tailstrike event while it was taking off from Jeju.
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