South Korea has announced plans to rebuild its aviation safety system from scratch following two major air travel incidents within a month. The country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport made the announcement on Tuesday as it launched a new committee focused on improving aviation safety standards.
“In order to restore trust in our country’s aviation safety system, the government will make a determined effort to rebuild the aviation safety system from the ground up,” Deputy Minister Baek Won-kuk stated in the ministry’s release. He emphasised that aviation safety must now be treated as a top national priority.
The new 10-week committee, which includes private-sector experts, will examine key aviation safety concerns. Areas of focus include maintenance and aircraft utilisation rates among budget airlines, airport infrastructure and construction standards, operational safety measures for airlines.
The urgency to overhaul South Korea’s aviation safety system follows two alarming incidents within a month. The first was the Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, which became the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil. A Jeju Air plane crashed at Muan Airport, killing 179 out of 181 passengers and crew. Preliminary investigations suggest the aircraft suffered bird strikes, as duck remains were found in both engines. The plane attempted a belly landing but ultimately crashed into a concrete embankment supporting navigation equipment beyond the runway.
Just weeks later, another incident raised further concerns. In January 2025, an Air Busan aircraft caught fire while preparing for departure at Busan International Airport. The fire was first noticed in an overhead luggage bin at the rear of the plane by a flight attendant. Fortunately, the crew managed to evacuate all passengers safely before the flames spread. These back-to-back incidents have intensified calls for a complete overhaul of aviation safety measures in the country.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, but authorities have already committed to infrastructure changes. In response to the Jeju Air crash, the government plans to amend similar concrete structures at seven airports across the country.
With South Korea’s aviation industry under scrutiny, the government’s move to rebuild its safety framework is seen as a necessary step to prevent further tragedies and restore public confidence in air travel.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on: