SEOUL, South Korea — On Monday, South Korean authorities announced they would perform safety inspections on all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic airlines. This measure comes in the wake of a catastrophic plane crash on Sunday that resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals, which marks the deadliest aviation catastrophe the nation has faced in many years.
The incident has sparked significant national concern, particularly with the government’s capability in managing the crisis as it deals with an unsettling leadership void following the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The upheaval has its roots in Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law earlier this month, creating an uncertain political climate.
In light of the disaster, newly appointed acting President Choi Sang-mok convened a task force meeting on Monday. Choi, who also serves as deputy prime minister and finance minister, emphasized the need to overhaul aviation safety systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future and to improve the overall safety of South Korea.
The wreckage involved a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, a low-cost airline in South Korea. It reportedly aborted its initial landing attempt for reasons yet to be clarified. During a second landing attempt, the aircraft was warned of a potential bird strike from ground control. The pilot subsequently dispatched a distress signal before attempting to land without the front landing gear deployed, leading to an overshoot of the runway, collision with a concrete barrier, and subsequent explosion.
Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines and current consultant, noted that the Boeing 737-800 is a well-established model distinct from the Boeing 737 Max, which was associated with deadly accidents in recent years. Nonetheless, South Korea’s Transport Ministry stated plans for comprehensive inspections of all 101 Boeing 737-800 jets in operation across the country, along with a detailed investigation into safety protocols at Jeju Air, which manages 39 of these planes.
Officials announced that representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing would be arriving in South Korea to aid in the investigation. Additionally, they will assess whether the localizer at Muan airport, designed to help guide aircraft during landing, should have been constructed with lighter materials to mitigate damage in such accidents.
Joo Jong-wan, a senior official at the ministry, mentioned that similar concrete barriers are present at various domestic airports, including those on Jeju Island, as well as some international airports in the United States, Spain, and South Africa.
Video footage from the tragedy suggested that the pilots did not deploy flaps or slats to reduce speed, indicating possible hydraulic malfunctions, and they also failed to lower the landing gear manually, hinting at a lack of time to respond. Meanwhile, retired pilot John Cox pointed out that despite these issues, the plane was controlled and flying straight; however, the proximity of the barrier to the runway exacerbated the damage.
Some analysts speculated that the footage showed indications of engine difficulties, but the malfunctioning landing gear was likely the primary factor leading to the crash. They highlighted that there was probably no direct correlation between the suspected engine problems and the landing gear failure.
Earlier on the same day of the accident, another Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 had to return to Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a suspected landing gear issue. Jeju Air executive Song Kyung-hoon confirmed the problem was resolved after consultation with ground support personnel, although the pilot opted for a precautionary landing.
Transport Ministry officials are also looking into potential communication lapses between air traffic controllers and the aircraft’s pilot during the go-around procedure. “We understand that at some point during the go-around, communication was less effective or was interrupted right before landing,” stated Joo.
The flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the aircraft have been transferred to a research facility at Gimpo airport for analysis, although authorities have indicated that the investigation could span several months.
This tragic crash represents South Korea’s most deadly aviation incident since a Korean Airlines flight disaster in 1997 that claimed 228 lives in Guam. The government has declared a seven-day national mourning period that will last until January 4, as citizens wrestle with collective grief and questions regarding safety protocols and regulatory oversights. Cases such as the Halloween disaster in Seoul last year and the ferry tragedy in 2014 continue to loom in the public consciousness, heightening apprehension about governmental responses to crises.
As authorities have begun the long process of identifying the deceased—146 bodies confirmed with over 30 still needing identification—Park Han Shin, a spokesperson for the victims’ families, expressed anguish over the delayed recovery, pleading for timely assistance from officials to ensure the bodies are returned in the best possible condition.
This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing political turmoil stemming from Yoon’s controversial martial law enforcement, which included a military presence on the streets of Seoul, stirring traumatic memories for many. With key officials absent due to the political upheaval—following the impeachments of Yoon and Han—the public questions whether the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters can effectively manage the unfolding situation. The editorial boards of prominent South Korean newspapers have also raised concerns about this leadership gap amidst pressing national grief.
