South Korea's military launches aviation inspection after Jeju Air crash

South Korean military personnel are inspecting aviation assets following the crash of a Jeju Air aircraft on December 29, local officials said.

They said the Navy command has already begun checking its aircraft, including the P-8A, which are based on the Boeing 737-800, Caliber.Az reports, citing South Korean media.

Inspections will continue until January 4. In July, the South Korean Navy acquired six of these aircraft to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The Air Force is also inspecting its Peace Eye long-range radar detection and control aircraft, which are based on the Boeing 737-700 commercial model.

To recall, on December 29, 2024, a tragic aviation accident occurred at Muan International Airport in South Korea, claiming the lives of 179 people.

The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, belly-landed and exploded during its attempted landing, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea's history, 

The incident took place at approximately 9 a.m. local time, when the aircraft veered off the runway while preparing to land. Witnesses reported that the plane's landing gear failed to deploy, and the aircraft skidded along the tarmac, crashing into a concrete wall. A violent explosion followed, leaving the plane almost entirely destroyed.

The 181 individuals aboard the flight included passengers from South Korea and two Thai nationals, with ages ranging from three to 78 years old. Authorities confirmed that, tragically, only two crew members survived the incident. They were rushed to nearby hospitals and are currently receiving treatment.

By Khagan Isayev