South Korean police look to charge 7 for lying about concrete structure in Jeju Air crash

South Korean police are seeking indictments against seven transport ministry officials in connection with the 2024 Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway due to landing gear failure, striking a concrete structure and catching fire, resulting in 179 fatalities. Investigators found evidence of a bird strike in the engines, and the black boxes ceased recording shortly before the incident. Experts suggest the concrete structure, housing landing guidance antennas, may have contributed to the crash due to its rigid construction, implying it should have been made of more breakable materials.

South Korean police are seeking indictments for seven transport ministry officials in connection with the 2024 Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people. The officials are accused of falsifying official documents by stating that localizers, a navigational aid, were installed according to regulations when they were not. The crash occurred when a Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway at Muan International Airport after its landing gear failed to deploy, striking a concrete structure. Evidence of bird strikes was found in the engines, and the black boxes stopped recording shortly before the incident. Experts suggest the concrete structure, which should have been made of breakable materials, also contributed to the crash. Police are investigating nearly 70 other individuals involved in the localizer installation and airport operations.