South Korean President Visits Jeju Air Crash Site and Orders Reinvestigation

President Lee Jae Myung visited the site of a December 2024 plane crash at Muan International Airport on Monday. The visit came after additional remains of victims were found at the scene following the conclusion of the initial investigation. Lee was briefed on the reinvestigation and questioned whether officials had followed proper procedures or if the standards themselves were flawed.

He stated that the additional remains should not have been overlooked given their size and condition.

A Jeju Air passenger plane from Bangkok crashed into a concrete mound while attempting an emergency belly landing on December 29, 2024. The accident killed all but two crew members on board. Authorities determined that a lack of manuals and insufficient oversight contributed to the failure to fully recover the victims' remains during the initial probe.

Officials are now reexamining the crash site.

Lee also visited the area around the concrete mound with victims' family members. The families expressed doubts about the investigators and questioned their expertise. After hearing their concerns, Lee instructed officials to explore other options, including the possibility of having the reinvestigation conducted entirely by outside experts.

He called on authorities to speed up the reinvestigation and comply with relevant safety regulations.