Acting President Choi Sang-mok speaks during a disaster control meeting at the government complex building in Seoul on Dec. 31, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday directed the government to address necessary improvements to the airline operation system, as the country mourns a tragic plane crash that claimed 179 lives.
Choi’s order comes after the Jeju Air plane, carrying 181 people, belly-landed and exploded at an airport in the country’s southwestern county of Muan on Sunday, leaving only two survivors.
The government has since launched an emergency safety inspection of six local airlines operating the same aircraft model involved in the crash, the Boeing 737-800.
“The transport ministry must thoroughly reexamine the overall aircraft operation system, starting with this inspection, and immediately implement any necessary improvements,” Choi said in a disaster control meeting held in Seoul.
On Monday, Choi visited a memorial altar set up in Muan to pay his respects to the victims. The government has declared a seven-day national mourning period, which will last until midnight Saturday.
Memorials have been established at the crash site and in 17 cities and provinces across the country, including Seoul. Flags are being flown at half-mast.
(Yonhap)
