Firefighters remove a tarp covering the Jeju Air plane that crashed on Dec. 29, 2024, at the accident site at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, Monday. (Yonhap)
Firefighters remove a tarp covering the Jeju Air plane that crashed on Dec. 29, 2024, at the accident site at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, Monday. (Yonhap)

Seven out of 14 South Korean airports have been found to have installed concrete structures similar to those involved in the recent deadly Jeju Air crash, according to a government inspection released Monday.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s weeklong review revealed that nine facilities at seven airports have localizer housings that are difficult to break upon aircraft collision and require urgent improvements.

On Dec. 29 last year, a Jeju Air flight returning from Bangkok made an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, striking a concrete mound at the runway's end and becoming engulfed in flames. The tragic accident claimed 179 of the 181 lives onboard.

The inspection found that Gwangju Airport, Yeosu Airport in South Jeolla Province and Pohang Gyeongju Airport in North Gyeongsang Province have concrete mounds supporting their localizers. Gimhae International Airport that serves Busan and Sacheon Airport in South Gyeongsang Province have concrete foundations protruding slightly above ground, while Jeju Airport uses a solid H-beam steel structure.

Another 26 installations at seven other airports are buried underground, reducing collision risks. However, Yangyang Airport in Gangwon Province was found to have subsided ground beneath its facility, elevating its height beyond the 7.5-centimeter standard by 4 to 5 centimeters. The ministry has instructed the airport to correct this immediately.

“We are initiating a special safety inspection of major airport facilities from Jan. 13 to Jan. 21,” the Transport Ministry said Monday. “Based on the findings, comprehensive safety measures will be developed, with localizer facility improvements targeted for completion by year-end.”

Separately, the ministry also reviewed all the Boeing 737-800s being operated here, the same model involved in the crash. While most major carriers, including Jeju Air, T’way Air, Jin Air, Eastar Jet, Air Incheon and Korean Air, complied with maintenance protocols for systems such as the landing gear and engines, some breached regulations. Violations included exceeding inspection intervals, neglecting aircraft defects and improper passenger boarding procedures.

The ministry declined to name the noncompliant airlines, but emphasized strict enforcement and legal penalties.

Looking ahead, the ministry pledged to broaden its investigation to include all aircraft models operated by 11 domestic carriers, conducting a comprehensive safety review through Jan. 31.