7 gov't officials referred to prosecution for alleged cover-up linked to 2024 Jeju Air crash

Seoul, August 26 - Seven transport ministry officials have been referred to prosecutors for allegedly concealing the substandard condition of a localizer in connection with the 2024 Jeju Air plane crash, police revealed on Wednesday. The tragic incident occurred on December 29, 2024, when a passenger jet made an emergency belly landing at Muan International Airport, killing 179 people.

The localizer, a navigation system that aids aircraft landings, was hit by the plane during the emergency landing and embedded in a concrete mound.

The seven officials were referred to the prosecution on Tuesday for allegedly drafting press releases claiming the localizer was installed in compliance with regulations, despite knowing it did not fully meet the required standards, according to a special police investigation team. Questions have been raised about whether the substandard placement of the localizer inside the concrete mound contributed to the high death toll in the crash.