Ministry defends Muan Airport concrete mound, bird strike confirmed

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) reiterated on Tuesday that the controversial localizer and its concrete foundation at Muan International Airport, linked to the severity of casualties in the Jeju Air flight 7C2216 crash, were constructed in accordance with regulations. The design firm responsible for adding a concrete slab beneath the localizer also asserted that there was no violation of any safety guidelines. At a press briefing on Tuesday, officials reaffirmed that the localizer was "constructed in accordance with regulations," despite criticism from domestic and international experts that its structure contributed to the high number of casualties. The Dec. 29 crash saw the aircraft successfully execute a belly landing, only to overshoot the runway and collide with a 2-meter-high localizer embankment, resulting in an explosion that claimed 179 lives. The embankment, supported by 19 concrete pillars, has been cited as a critical factor in exacerbating casualties. The controversy centers on the interpretation of the guidelines. Under the "Standards for Airport and Airfield Facilities and Runway Installation," the runway end safety area (RESA) must extend at least 90 meters beyond the runway end, with a recommendation to expand it up to 240 meters where feasible.<br/>