South Korean police raided Muan International Airport and other locations on 2 January as part of the investigation into the Jeju Air crash that occurred on 29 December.
Raids were conducted at the airport, Jeju Air’s Seoul office, and a regional aviation office to gather evidence related to the crash, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The crash involved flight 7C2216, which belly-landed at Muan International Airport after its landing gear failed to deploy.
The plane collided with an embankment and exploded, leaving 179 dead out of 181 passengers and crew. Only two survivors remain.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok directed the government on 2 January to expedite the provision of emergency living expenses to victims’ families.
Since the accident, the government has implemented various support measures, including reimbursing individuals who took personal leave from work to recover their loved ones’ remains.
Choi emphasised that additional measures are underway to assist local governments in promptly disbursing emergency aid to families facing financial hardships during the recovery process.
At a disaster management meeting on the same day, Choi highlighted the need for robust safety inspections of all Boeing aircraft operating in the country.
He urged the transport ministry and related agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring aviation safety. The cockpit voice recorder’s data is being converted to an audio file, which is expected to be ready by Friday.
The flight data recorder, damaged during the crash, has been sent to the United States for detailed analysis. The investigation involves international collaboration with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing.
A Jeju Air spokesperson confirmed that the airline is cooperating with the authorities and evaluating the situation as investigations progress.
This tragic accident, one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters, has also prompted reviews of aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and operational protocols to prevent future incidents.
