Jeju Air CEO Apologizes “Difficult to Determine Accident Cause, I Take Full Responsibility”
In a press conference held on the afternoon of Dec 29th, Kim stated, “Regardless of the cause of the accident, as the CEO, I fully acknowledge my responsibility. Once again, I pray for the repose of the passengers who lost their lives and extend my heartfelt apologies to the bereaved families.”
Kim noted, “At this point, it is difficult to determine the cause of the accident. We must wait for the official investigation report from the relevant government agencies.” He pledged, “We will do our utmost to quickly address the aftermath, support the families of those involved, and cooperate fully with the government to uncover the cause of this tragedy.”
He also emphasized that the airline is currently operating in a full-scale emergency response mode. He added, “We have organized support personnel for the bereaved families and will ensure that all necessary assistance is provided for the victims and their loved ones.”
Earlier in the day, Jeju Air held an emergency meeting at its Aviation Support Center office in Gangseo District, Seoul, chaired by Kim. All executives and team leaders were reportedly summoned.
The incident occurred at around 9:07 AM when Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, en route from Bangkok, Thailand to Muan, South Korea, veered off the runway at Muan International Airport and collided with the outer perimeter fence. The flight was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members.
Preliminary reports suggest that 179 people have died, with only two survivors rescued so far. Authorities are still verifying the exact number of casualties.
According to the National Fire Agency, the crash is presumed to have been caused by a bird strike, which may have disabled the landing gear.
A Jeju Air representative stated, “We are currently identifying the exact cause and circumstances of the accident. The aircraft involved is 15 years old with no history of accidents. We will also investigate whether there is a history of malfunctions.”
