South Korea rival parties form plane crash task force

South Korea’s rival political parties agreed on Tuesday to form a joint task force to investigate the recent Jeju Air plane crash, which claimed the lives of 179 people. The crash occurred on December 29, when a Boeing 737-800, en route from Thailand to Muan, South Korea, belly-landed at a South Korean airport and collided with a concrete barrier, resulting in a fiery explosion. With the cause of the crash still undetermined, the decision to create a joint parliamentary task force coincided with Transport Minister Park Sang-woo offering his resignation.

The crash has led to intense political turmoil in South Korea, following an already tumultuous period marked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law last month. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition Democratic Party issued a joint statement confirming the establishment of a 15-member special committee. The committee, comprising representatives from both parties and one independent member, will investigate the crash and support the families of the victims.

Minister Park expressed his deep sense of responsibility for the disaster, stating that he was "discussing the proper methods and timing" for his resignation. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport later clarified that his remarks constituted an official offer to resign.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with both South Korean and U.S. aviation experts involved. Possible factors being considered include a bird strike, malfunctioning landing gear, and issues with the runway barrier. According to lead investigator Lee Seung-yeol, feathers were found in one of the aircraft’s engines, suggesting a bird strike. However, he noted that such incidents do not typically result in immediate engine failure, and further analysis is needed to determine if both engines were affected.

The pilot had reportedly warned of a bird strike after aborting the first landing attempt. The crash occurred during a second attempt when the landing gear failed to deploy. Authorities have conducted raids on the offices of Muan airport, a regional aviation office, and Jeju Air’s headquarters in Seoul. The CEO of Jeju Air has also been barred from leaving the country as part of the investigation.

In response to the tragedy, Jeju Air announced plans to reduce its international flights departing from Busan by 188 in the first quarter of the year. This follows a previous decision to cut overall flight operations by 10 to 15 percent by March to enhance safety measures. The crash has prompted a national outpouring of grief, with memorials set up across the country to honor the victims.