South Korea's transport ministry approved improper airport safety structures for over two decades, according to a state audit released Tuesday. The findings follow a deadly December 2024 crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 at Muan International Airport, which killed 179 people. The aircraft overran the runway after a bird strike, impacting a concrete support for a localizer antenna.
The Board of Audit and Inspection reported that the ministry built a 2.4-meter high concrete embankment for the landing guidance system at Muan to reduce costs, bypassing relevant rules. International standards require such structures to break apart easily upon aircraft impact.
The ministry, responsible for airport construction and safety certification, wrongly approved 14 non-compliant localizer installations at eight airports. For up to 22 years, it certified operating permits and inspections that erroneously found frangibility standards had been met. The audit also identified broader issues in bird-strike prevention and air safety management.
In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated it "humbly accepted" the findings and will implement corrective measures, including localizer improvements and enhanced bird-strike prevention. The Muan airport has been closed since the crash.