The CEO of South Korean Airline Jeju Air has been prohibited from departing the nation following the death of 179 people in a plane crash last week, authorities said Thursday.
“The investigation team imposed a travel ban of two individuals, including Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae,” said police in South Jeolla Province, where the crash in Muan city happened.
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae sent his sincere apologies and condolences to the victims’ families. “As the CEO, I accept full responsibility regardless of the cause,” Kim said.
Following the incident, Jeju Air informed the public that it would use all available resources to deal with the fallout. “Jeju Air will spare no effort to respond to the accident,” the airline said, reaffirming its resolve to handle the situation.
Since the accident, US and South Korean investigators—including those from Boeing—have been searching the crash site in southwest Muan to determine what caused it. Black boxes have been discovered, and decoding efforts are still underway. The airline has promised to assist with the current inquiry and support the families of the victims.
The tragedy involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers and crew on a flight from Bangkok to the airport in the southwestern region of the country, occurred shortly after the aircraft landed at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time on Sunday.
The plane skidded off the runway, collided with a concrete barrier, and burst into flames. At least 85 people have been killed in a devastating plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
According to a news briefing by South Korea’s fire chief, Lee Jeong-hyun, the crash’s primary cause is thought to have been a bird strike exacerbated by unfavorable weather. These elements most likely contributed to a landing gear malfunction in the airplane.
