South Korea inspects airline operating system after Jeju plane crash

South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered the Ministry of Transport to conduct an emergency safety inspection of the country’s airline operating system, local news agency Yonhap reported. I mentioned Monday.

Choi was speaking at a disaster control meeting in Seoul, after the Jeju Air flight It crashed at the country’s Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 people and leaving only two survivors, making it South Korea’s deadliest air accident.

“The pilot declared a state of emergency after issuing a bird strike warning,” said Jo Jung-wan, director of the Aviation Policy Department at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Choi pledged that the government would “spare no effort” in supporting the bereaved families, and declared a seven-day mourning period in the country.

At a press conference on Sunday, Jeju Air’s administrative support office head, Sung Kyung-hoon, said the airline would support the victims and their families, and that the plane was covered by $1 billion in insurance. I mentioned Yonhap.

Addressing reports that a Bird strike It was the cause of the accident, and Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae would neither confirm nor deny it.

“At the moment, the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and we have to wait for the official investigation conducted by government agencies,” Kim said in a statement. Sunday statement.

Song denied accusations that mechanical failures or inadequate safety preparations played a role in the accident.

“This accident is not related to any maintenance issues. There can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to aircraft maintenance,” Song said.

Monday, Jeju Air flight It is said He returned to Gimpo International Airport shortly after take-off because a similar problem was discovered with the plane’s landing gear.

The incident comes at a politically risky time for South Korea.

Choe is the country’s second acting president in one month. He took over this role after acting president Han Dak Son isolation On Friday by lawmakers over his reluctance to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court to hear the impeachment of former President Yeon Suk-yeol.

Yoon was removed Just a few weeks agoAfter imposing martial law for six hours at the beginning of this month for the first time since the military coup in 1979.

Jeju Air shares hit an all-time low on Monday, according to FactSet data, and were last down 8.53%. Shares of other Korean airlines were volatile.