South Korean police raided the offices of the Korea Airports Corp. (KAC), the Transport Ministry and a regional aviation authority on Tuesday as part of their investigation into the 2024 Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people.
A special police investigation team conducted searches at KAC, which operates most of South Korea’s major domestic airports apart from Incheon International Airport, as well as the Transport Ministry and Busan Regional Office of Aviation.
According to reports, investigators were seeking additional evidence concerning possible professional negligence resulting in death or injury.
A police official said 45 people are currently under investigation over possible negligence connected with the disaster. Authorities are also considering whether charges relating to causing a serious public disaster could apply.
The investigation is examining both the circumstances that caused the crash and whether government agencies, airport authorities and other responsible bodies adequately fulfilled their safety obligations.
The Jeju Air passenger aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024, killing 179 of the 181 people aboard.
The disaster ranks among the deadliest aviation accidents in South Korean history.