Why did police raid the Korea Airports Corp. and transport ministry over the Jeju Air crash?

Investigators said the raid was meant to gather additional evidence for the crash probe. The case is focused on suspected professional negligence resulting in death or injury, and police said they may also apply charges of causing a serious public disaster.

Which agencies were searched in the latest Jeju Air crash investigation raid?

Police said they searched the Korea Airports Corp., the transport ministry and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation. The Korea Airports Corp. oversees most major domestic airports, excluding Incheon International Airport.

How many suspects are under investigation in the Jeju Air crash case?

Police said there are 74 suspects so far. The same team said it has searched the transport ministry three times as it continues to examine how the agencies handled the crash.

Police raid Korea Airports Corp., transport ministry over Jeju Air crash

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Summary

Police raided the Korea Airports Corp., the transport ministry and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation Tuesday over the 2024 Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people. The special team said the search was aimed at securing evidence on suspected professional negligence resulting in death or injury, with possible additional charges of causing a serious public disaster. Investigators are also examining whether the responsible agencies handled the crash properly at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, 2024.

Key Facts

Police said investigators were sent to the Korea Airports Corp., the transport ministry and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation.
The probe has 74 suspects so far on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death or injury.
This was the third time investigators searched the transport ministry.
Police said charges of causing a serious public disaster could also be applied.
The investigation centers on the crash at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, 2024.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 11, 2026 10:03 am KST
Updated Aug 11, 2026 11:40 am KST

Experts search for the remains of the 179 people killed in the 2024 Jeju Air plane crash, June 15. Yonhap

Police raided the Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) and two other sites Tuesday to seize evidence related to their ongoing investigation into the 2024 Jeju Air plane crash that killed 179 people.

A special team handling the probe said its investigators were sent to the KAC, which oversees most major domestic airports excluding Incheon International Airport, the transport ministry and the Busan Regional Office of Aviation.

The raid is aimed at gathering additional material in connection with suspicions of professional negligence resulting in death or injury, one of the charges faced by a total of 74 suspects so far, a team official said.

This was the third time investigators searched the transport ministry.

Additional charges of causing a serious public disaster could also be applied, according to the police.

The investigation has focused on determining the cause of the crash at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, 2024, and whether the responsible agencies handled it properly.

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