South Korean police announced Thursday they are seeking indictments for seven transport ministry officials in connection with the 2024 Jeju Air crash that resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers and crew.
The Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, crashed at Muan International Airport in southern South Korea when its landing gear failed to deploy, causing the aircraft to skid off the runway and collide with a concrete structure, which then caught fire.
Investigators found evidence of bird strikes in the plane's engines. The aircraft's flight recorders ceased functioning approximately four minutes before the crash. Some experts have suggested that the concrete structure, which housed a localizer antenna used to guide aircraft during landings, may have contributed to the severity of the crash due to its materials not being designed to break easily.
According to police, the seven officials are accused of involvement in the creation of official statements that falsely claimed the localizers were installed in compliance with domestic and international regulations. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison on charges of falsifying official documents. The Transport Ministry declined to comment on the police announcement.
The investigation is ongoing, with police examining nearly 70 additional individuals involved in the installation of the localizers and the operations at Muan Airport.
This incident marked South Korea's most fatal aviation disaster since 1997. However, an official cause has not yet been formally determined, and no one has been prosecuted.
Previously, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board had intended to release initial findings indicating that bird strikes affected both engines and that pilots had deactivated a less damaged engine before the crash landing. These preliminary findings, which suggested potential human error, were met with strong objections from bereaved families and pilots who accused authorities of attempting to attribute blame to the deceased crew. The investigation board subsequently withdrew the planned announcement.