South Korea's Transport Minister Resigns Following Fatal Jeju Air Crash

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South Korea's Transport Minister Park Sang Woo has announced his resignation in light of the tragic Jeju Air crash that occurred on December 29, 2024, resulting in the deaths of 179 individuals. The aircraft, which was carrying 179 passengers and two crew members, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport, marking the country's worst aviation disaster.

During a press conference, Park expressed his "heavy responsibility" for the disaster and stated he would resign at an appropriate time. The investigation is ongoing, but initial reports suggest that a potential bird strike or adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the crash. Additionally, it has been noted that the concrete embankment the plane collided with was inadequately designed, which exacerbated the incident's consequences.

Authorities have launched a thorough investigation, including raiding the offices of Jeju Air and the airport operator to gather vital evidence, including communication records between the pilot and the control tower. According to investigation team leader Lee Seung Yeol, feathers were discovered on one of the recovered engines, indicating a possible bird strike occurred during the approach.

In response to the crash, the government has extended the shutdown of Muan airport until January 14, 2025, as experts and investigators analyze critical data from the flight recorders.

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