South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has cut construction costs and approved improper airport safety structures for over two decades, a state audit has found, according to a report by The Chosun Sun.
The devastating Jeju Air crash claimed 179 lives at Muan International Airport (MWX) in December 2024.
Concrete mound built to save costs, despite risks
To save on the expenses of reshaping the terrain, the ministry approved the construction of a concrete mound to raise the localizer above the runway in 2003 without conducting a proper risk assessment, the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) said in the report.
The BAI found that in 2007, the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) requested a review of the mound’s construction, but no changes were made.
Rigid localizer structure exacerbated crash severity
The crash involved a Boeing 737-800 striking multiple birds, belly-landing, and overrunning the runway before colliding with the concrete support for the localizer antenna. The rigid structure, built on the 2.4-meter high concrete embankment, failed to break apart easily upon impact, exacerbating the severity of the accident. Only two flight attendants at the rear of the plane survived.
Ministry approved non-compliant installations for years
The BAI report also found that the ministry had wrongly approved 14 non-compliant localizer installations at eight airports, including Muan International Airport (MWX), Gimhae International Airport (PUS), and Jeju International Airport (CJU).
Shockingly, as part of a modernization project between 2019 and 2024, the KAC reinforced the mound at Muan and similar structures at four other airports, further compromising safety standards.
Shortcomings in bird-strike prevention and pilot training
The audit also uncovered broader shortcomings in bird-strike prevention and air safety management, with the ministry being notified of 30 cases of wrongdoing or procedural failure. Pilot training for bird strikes and belly landings was found to be insufficient, and risk assessment methods for bird strikes were deemed unreasonable, failing to account for migratory birds like the Baikal teal that collided with the plane.
Ministry pledges improvements, but challenges remain
In response to the findings, the ministry has pledged to take strict follow-up measures. However, improvements to localizers at three airports remain unfinished, and Muan Airport’s localizer site is preserved for ongoing accident investigations. The BAI has imposed disciplinary actions and demanded thorough practices to prevent the installation of non-compliant aviation safety facilities.
