Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Plan to Investigate Cause of Accident Once Recovery Is Complete"

Installation of Regional Accident Response Headquarters by Busan Regional Aviation Administration Chief
Support Planned for Bereaved Families

Yonhap News

On the 29th at 9:03 AM, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and held an emergency meeting with related agencies to manage the situation and investigate the cause of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 (Bangkok-Muan) accident.

Minister Park stated, “It is necessary to share information in real-time with related agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of National Defense, Fire Agency, and Jeollanam-do, and to collaborate systematically.” Currently, 723 personnel from the Airport Corporation, fire department, police, military, coast guard, and local governments have been mobilized.

Minister Park also said, “We will provide all possible support for the bereaved families, and since this is a serious accident that causes public concern, once the accident response is completed, we plan to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.”

The death toll from this passenger plane crash has risen to 120. The fire authorities estimate that most of the 181 passengers on board, except for 2 survivors, have died. The victims are currently placed in a temporary morgue set up at Muan Airport.

Minister Park said, “Going forward, the government will take measures including rescue operations, handling victims and funeral preparations, comforting and explaining to the bereaved families, conducting a thorough investigation of the accident causes and subsequent countermeasures, arranging alternative flights for other international routes affected by today’s accident, and taking urgent aviation safety measures for other airlines and airports.”

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to establish a regional accident response headquarters at the site, led by the Busan Regional Aviation Office Chief, to support the bereaved families.