Overview
- A government-commissioned simulation disclosed by lawmaker Kim Eun-hye concludes all 179 victims likely would have survived had the concrete localiser support not been present.
- The analysis found the Boeing 737-800’s belly-landing forces were not severe and the aircraft would have slid about 770 meters before stopping if unobstructed.
- South Korea’s Land Ministry now acknowledges the localiser installation at Muan failed safety requirements and should have been designed to break away, including during a 2020 upgrade.
- Victims’ families and opposition politicians label the crash preventable and press for apologies, transparency, and legal accountability as a parliamentary probe proceeds.
- The full accident report remains undisclosed after missing a one-year progress deadline, and Muan International Airport is closed with reopening not expected until April.