South Korea Launches Comprehensive Airline Safety Review Following Tragic Crash

South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has called for an emergency safety assessment of the nation’s airline operations. Additionally, authorities are examining the feasibility of conducting a detailed inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the country after the catastrophic crash on Sunday, which stands as the worst domestic aviation disaster in South Korea’s history.

A seven-day national mourning period has commenced, with flags lowered to half-mast. Acting President Choi visited the crash site in Muan, in southwestern South Korea, to pay respects during a memorial service for the victims.

As of now, 141 of the 179 victims have been identified using DNA and fingerprint analysis. Families of the victims spent the night at the airport in temporary shelters arranged in the terminal lounge.

Investigation teams from South Korea and the United States are collaborating to determine the cause of the tragedy. While a bird strike was initially considered a probable cause, questions linger regarding the precise events leading to the crash. Both black boxes—housing the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—have been recovered and are under analysis.

In a related incident, a Jeju Airlines flight operating a B737-800 aircraft reported a landing gear issue and was forced to return to Seoul’s Gimpo Airport shortly after takeoff. The airline acknowledged the incident and is investigating the malfunction.

Experts reviewing footage of the crash, which showed the aircraft making an emergency landing before colliding with a wall, have criticized the airport’s infrastructure. Concerns have been raised about the decision to place a solid structure at the airfield’s edge.

Condolences have poured in from leaders worldwide. US President Joe Biden expressed readiness to provide any assistance required, while messages of sympathy were delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Pope Francis, who prayed for both the deceased and the survivors during his address at the Vatican.

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