South Korea Police Seek Charges Against Seven Officials Over Jeju Air Crash Statements

South Korean police have sought the indictment of seven transport ministry officials over allegedly false statements related to airport equipment involved in the deadly 2024 Jeju Air crash.

The officials are accused of preparing media statements claiming that equipment at Muan International Airport complied with domestic and international safety regulations, despite police concluding that the statements were inaccurate.

The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan International Airport in southern South Korea after its landing gear failed to deploy. The aircraft skidded off the runway, struck a concrete structure and caught fire, killing 179 of the 181 people on board.

The crash became South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster since 1997 and triggered extensive investigations into possible technical failures, airport infrastructure and other contributing factors.

One major focus of the investigation has been the concrete structure supporting a localiser system near the runway. The localiser is a navigation aid that helps guide aircraft during landing. Aviation experts have questioned whether the structure should have been designed with more easily breakable materials to reduce the impact of a collision.

Police said the seven transport ministry officials were involved in issuing statements that claimed the localiser installation complied with relevant regulations. Investigators have now referred the cases to prosecutors and requested that the officials face charges related to the alleged falsification of official documents.

If convicted, the officials could face prison sentences of up to seven years under South Korean law. The transport ministry did not immediately comment on the police action.

Investigators are also examining the roles of nearly 70 other people, including individuals connected to the installation of the airport equipment and the operation of Muan International Airport.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined. Investigators have found evidence of bird strikes in the aircraft's engines, while the plane's flight recorders reportedly stopped recording around four minutes before the crash.

Earlier plans to release preliminary findings suggesting that the pilots may have shut down the less-damaged engine following bird strikes sparked strong opposition from bereaved families and pilots. Critics accused investigators of attempting to place responsibility on the deceased crew members, leading authorities to cancel the planned announcement.

The latest police action increases scrutiny on whether airport infrastructure and official safety compliance claims played a role in the tragedy. With the wider investigation still ongoing, prosecutors and aviation investigators are expected to continue examining both the circumstances of the crash and the actions of officials responsible for airport safety oversight.