January 02, (THEWILL) – South Korean authorities on Thursday raided the headquarters of Jeju Air and the operator of Muan International Airport as part of ongoing investigations into the fatal crash of a Boeing 737-800 that claimed 179 lives.
The tragic incident occurred last Sunday when the aircraft, carrying 181 passengers and crew from Thailand to South Korea, issued a mayday call before crash-landing and slamming into a barrier. Only two flight attendants survived, pulled from the burning wreckage.
In a significant development, police in South Jeolla Province imposed a travel ban on Jeju Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Kim E-bae, and another individual connected to the airline.
“The investigation team has imposed a travel ban on two individuals, including Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae,” police authorities confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, called for immediate action should the ongoing probe uncover any flaws related to the aircraft model involved in the accident.
Addressing the nation, Choi said, “Given the public concern surrounding the Boeing 737-800 model involved in this tragedy, the transport ministry and relevant agencies must conduct a comprehensive inspection of operational maintenance, education, and training protocols. If any issues are identified, immediate corrective measures must be taken.”
The crash has sparked widespread calls for accountability and heightened scrutiny of aviation safety standards in South Korea. Investigations are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
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