Government Implements Safety Measures Following Jeju Air Incident
On January 10, the acting Minister of the Interior and Safety, Ko Gi-dong, announced during a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting that the government will provide emergency living expenses of 3 million KRW to the families of victims from the Jeju Air incident. He stated that airports equipped with the 'dune-shaped' localizer, identified as a contributing factor to the accident, will now prioritize flights operated by experienced pilots.
Ko emphasized the need for special safety inspections at airports and airlines to identify areas for improvement, promising immediate action where possible. A special inspection of navigational safety facilities at 13 airports across the country was completed on January 8, and the results are currently under analysis.
As part of the emergency safety measures, all 11 domestic airlines operating at airports with dune-shaped localizers will now be required to have experienced pilots at the helm and conduct special training for each flight. The concrete dune-shaped localizer structure has been pointed out as a significant factor exacerbating the impact of the Jeju Air accident.
In addition to the financial support for families, Ko noted that while the fundraising period for the victims has not yet concluded, an initial emergency living expense payment of 3 million KRW will be distributed today. He mentioned that the support will be flexible, taking into account individual circumstances, and that dedicated public officials will be assigned to each family to ensure their needs are met.
Furthermore, the government has decided to extend the storage period for personal belongings, which were initially kept for six months, upon request from the families. An informational guide detailing support options related to insurance and inheritance will be distributed at a family meeting scheduled for January 11.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing. Ko reported that the Accident Investigation Committee is analyzing debris from the aircraft, including engine, landing gear, and control system components. Data extraction from the flight data recorder (FDR) is being conducted in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) since yesterday.
