Concrete installations found near 7 airport runways: Transport Ministry

Seven out of 14 South Korean airports have been found to have installed concrete structures similar to those involved in the recent deadly Jeju Air crash, according to a government inspection released Monday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s weeklong review revealed that nine facilities at seven airports have localizer housings that are difficult to break upon aircraft collision and require urgent improvements. On Dec. 29 last year, a Jeju Air flight returning from Bangkok made an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, striking a concrete mound at the runway's end and becoming engulfed in flames. The tragic accident claimed 179 of the 181 lives onboard. The inspection found that Gwangju Airport, Yeosu Airport in South Jeolla Province and Pohang Gyeongju Airport in North Gyeongsang Province have concrete mounds supporting their localizers. Gimhae International Airport that serves Busan and Sacheon Airport in South Gyeongsang Province have concrete foundations protruding slightly above ground, while Jeju Airport uses a solid H-beam steel structure. Another 26 installations at seven other airports are buried underground, reducing collision risks. However, Yangyang Airport in Gangwon Province was found to have subsided ground beneath its facility, elevating its height beyond the 7.5-centimeter standard by 4 to 5 centimeters. The ministry has instructed the airport to correct this immediately.<br/>