• South Korea's transport ministry will remove concrete barriers at Muan International Airport linked to a recent deadly plane crash.
• The December 29 crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which resulted in 179 fatalities, has prompted widespread safety reforms.
• Two survivors were found among the passengers, but the cause of the crash remains under investigation, with one focus on safety infrastructure.
• The former president of Korea Airports Corporation, linked to the airport's renovations, was found dead, ruled an apparent suicide.
• Safety inspections have identified similar barriers needing changes at seven other airports across South Korea.

In response to the tragic plane crash involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216 at Muan International Airport, South Korea's transport ministry has announced the removal of concrete barriers that investigators believe contributed to the high casualty rate. This crash, which occurred on December 29, resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals, making it South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster. The flight, returning from Thailand, crashed into a concrete structure supporting navigation antennas after making an emergency landing attempt. Tragically, the flight's black box recordings ceased just four minutes before the impact, complicating the ongoing investigation into the disaster.

According to Reuters, experts have indicated that the concrete barrier directly influenced the severity of the crash, leading to reforms that will also affect other airports' safety protocols. The transport ministry has committed to installing more flexible safety structures at several major airports, including Muan and Jeju International. This includes the removal of the current barrier and the reinstallation of navigation systems using breakable materials.

Safety inspectors have identified nine airports with similar structures that require modifications following a review triggered by the catastrophic incident, reports BBC. Criticism has been directed at the safety standards previously upheld by the Korea Airports Corporation, as the aftermath revealed that Muan International had been operating with insufficient runway safety zones.

Amid these developments, the former head of the Korea Airports Corporation, Son Chang-wan, was found dead in an apparent suicide, as reported by Newsweek. His leadership coincided with airport renovations that have come under scrutiny following the crash. Son was not under investigation regarding the incident, yet his death underscores the profound emotional impact and responsibility felt by those involved in aviation safety.

As the investigation continues, the South Korean government is prioritizing the establishment of improved safety standards to prevent such tragedies in the future. The runway at Muan will remain closed until mid-April as efforts to enhance safety protocols are implemented.

For more details, please refer to the original articles from Reuters, BBC, and Newsweek.