The government has decided to conduct special training for all airlines regarding airports equipped with a berm-style localizer (azimuth facility). The berm-style localizer has been identified as one of the causes that exacerbated the damage from the Jeju Air disaster, which resulted in the deaths of 179 people.
Lee Han-gyeong, head of the Disaster Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, noted this plan during the 14th meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters regarding the Jeju Air passenger plane accident on the 9th.
A localizer is a facility that provides directional guidance to ensure that aircraft can safely land on the runway in situations where visibility is limited. Experts point out that this structure should be installed with breakable materials for safety considerations. This is because preparations must be made for potential collisions with aircraft in an emergency.
However, a berm-style localizer was installed at the end of the runway at Muan International Airport in the form of a soil mound covered by a 2-meter-high concrete structure. Similarly, it is reported that Yeosu Airport, Gwangju Airport, and Pohang-Gyeongju Airport have also established localizers of a similar form.
The Deputy Minister stated, “The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently preparing a debris distribution map based on the debris collected so far, and is conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident without delays, including discussions on repair methods and analysis processes for the flight data recorder (FDR),” adding that a special safety inspection for the six airlines operating the aircraft model involved in the accident is expected to be completed by the 10th.
The government also revealed that 971 on-site complaints have been handled at the integrated support center related to the Jeju Air disaster, and 379 cases of psychological support have been provided, centered around the National Trauma Center.
Work is ongoing to return personal effects collected from the accident scene near the runway to the bereaved families. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of the 8th, a total of 1,219 items have been collected from the scene. Of these, 394 items with identified owners have had 345 items returned to the bereaved families.
The Korean National Police Agency plans to return 825 items of personal effects without confirmed ownership to the bereaved families after verification by the 10th.
The police are also investigating 163 cases involving defamation or derogatory posts about the victims or their families.
The Deputy Minister stated, “Although the funeral procedures for the victims of this accident will be completed today, the government will respect the wishes of the bereaved families as much as possible and provide detailed and thorough support until their pain is healed and they can return to their daily lives.”