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

Seoul, August 26 - A special police investigation team has referred seven transport ministry officials to prosecutors in connection with the 2024 Jeju Air crash, which killed 179 people. The officials are accused of allegedly covering up the unfit status of the localizer, a navigation system that contributed to the high death toll when the passenger jet made an emergency landing.

The officials reportedly drafted press releases claiming the localizer complied with regulations, despite knowing it was not, according to the special police team. The transport ministry's press releases omitted regulations requiring structures within 300 meters of the runway end to be built with breakable material in case of an aircraft collision.

The police investigation is ongoing alongside an investigation by the aviation accident investigation board under the prime minister's office.