{"id":2207732,"date":"2024-12-30T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-29T23:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207732"},"modified":"2024-12-29T22:31:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-29T13:31:01","slug":"flight-crash-leaves-179-dead-in-south-koreas-worst-aviation-tragedy-in-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/flight-crash-leaves-179-dead-in-south-koreas-worst-aviation-tragedy-in-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Flight crash leaves 179 dead in South Korea\u2019s worst aviation tragedy in years"},"content":{"rendered":"
A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to Muan <\/span>crashed<\/span><\/a> while attempting to land at Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 of the 181 people onboard in one of South Korea\u2019s deadliest aviation disasters. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway, hit a barrier and burst into flames. Investigators, who <\/span>recovered the black box<\/span><\/a>, are examining bird strike warnings issued minutes before the crash and a potential landing gear failure.<\/span><\/p>\n Acting President Choi Sang-mok <\/span>declared<\/span><\/a> Muan a special disaster zone and mobilized over 1,500 emergency responders. The crash, which forced the closure of Muan Airport until Jan. 1, has disrupted travel across South Jeolla Province, a region heavily reliant on the airport for international connections.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n The government declared a national mourning period until Jan. 4 to honor the 179 lives lost in the crash. The disaster has devastated South Jeolla Province, where Muan International Airport serves as a critical gateway. The tragic loss of so many lives has left communities grieving and raised questions about disaster preparedness at regional airports.<\/span><\/p>\n Choi faces intense scrutiny as the second interim leader in less than two weeks, following the impeachments of President Yoon Suk-yeol on <\/span>Dec. 14<\/span><\/a> and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on <\/span>Dec. 27<\/span><\/a>. He must manage disaster recovery in Muan, stabilize a depreciating won, address plummeting public trust in governance and reassure foreign investors, partners and allies about South Korea\u2019s stability \u2014 all under growing political and public pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n The main opposition Democratic Party, which impeached both Yoon and Han, is unlikely to <\/span>target Choi<\/span><\/a> for now. Attempting to impeach him while he oversees disaster management could backfire politically, as the public might see it as undermining critical recovery efforts during a national crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n