South Korea strengthens security measures after plane crash

In response to the tragic crash of a Jeju Air plane last Sunday, South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an immediate inspection of all Boeing 737-800 models in the country. So-called safety gaps are to be intensively examined to ensure public safety while the investigation of the accident is in full swing. A potentially critical element of the investigation is the conversion of the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder data, which is expected to be completed by Friday. These recordings could provide crucial insights into the last minutes of flight 7C2216, during which all 175 passengers and four of the six crew members tragically perished when the aircraft crashed at Muan Airport. In a crisis meeting, Choi emphasized the importance of thorough inspections to review the operation, maintenance, and training measures related to the aircraft model. Further concerns were raised by questions from aviation safety experts who suspect that a concrete embankment built too close to the end of the runway may have contributed to the disaster. At the same time, the damaged flight data recorder is being sent to the United States for detailed analysis. Experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing itself are already in South Korea to assist with the investigations. Choi also called for generous support for the bereaved and warned of legal consequences for the dissemination of false information or malicious comments on social media regarding the tragedy.