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Police raid ministry offices in crash investigation
South Korean authorities searched the transport ministry's headquarters in Sejong on Friday as part of a widening inquiry into the country's deadliest aviation disaster, which killed 179 people last December.
Crash details and initial findings
Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, overshot the runway at Muan International Airport on 29 December 2024 after colliding with a flock of migratory ducks. The aircraft struck a concrete structure, triggering a fireball that left only two survivors among the 181 passengers and crew.
Early investigations revealed the concrete mound, built to house navigation equipment, worsened the casualties. Simulations later indicated all on board could have survived if the plane had avoided the structure.
Delayed recovery sparks outrage
Public anger escalated after investigators recently uncovered additional human remains and victims' belongings stored in sacks alongside debris from the crash site. Families had demanded a re-examination of the rubble for months, accusing authorities of negligence.
"We are appalled by the transport ministry's late and inadequate apology, which the families say is like killing the victims a second time."
Representative for the victims' families
Government response and parallel probes
President Lee Jae-myung ordered disciplinary action against officials responsible for delays in recovering remains and launched a new investigation on Thursday. The transport ministry issued an apology, but families rejected it as insufficient.
A separate audit found the concrete mound was built to cut costs. Instead of leveling the sloped terrain for navigation antennas, authorities constructed an elevated structure that failed to break upon impact-a design flaw that contributed to the fatalities.
Safety measures and ongoing scrutiny
Aviation authorities removed similar concrete structures at seven airports a month after the crash. Police expect the main investigation's findings to be released by mid-2026, while parliamentary and agency-led probes continue in parallel.
