2nd January 2025 – (Seoul) On 29th December, 2024, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air crashed off the runway while landing at Wosan Airport. In response, the Jeollanam-do Police Agency’s aviation accident investigation unit launched an inquiry, citing suspicions of professional negligence leading to fatalities.
As part of their investigation, police conducted searches at Jeju Air’s Seoul office and the control tower at Wosan Airport. While no suspects have been formally identified yet, a travel ban has been imposed on Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim I-bae.
In addition to the aforementioned locations, authorities also searched the office of the Korea Airport Corporation at Wosan International Airport and the Busan Regional Aviation Administration’s Wosan branch. The aim was to evaluate the surrounding structures where the aircraft incident occurred, including the adequacy of the locators. Investigators are also examining communications between the control tower and pilots prior to the crash, focusing on bird strike warnings and distress signals, along with the aircraft’s maintenance history.
On the same day, South Korea’s acting president and Minister of Economy and Finance, Choi Sang-mok, instructed relevant agencies to expedite emergency relief funds for the victims’ families. He assured that the government would continue to provide necessary support even after the funeral proceedings are completed.
