Why does Muan Airport mound remain unexplained one month later?

Why the concrete mound housing the localizer at Muan International Airport was placed in such a hazardous location — and why it remained there for years — remains unanswered more than a month after the Dec. 29 Jeju Air crash. The "gravely mistaken" mound, linked to the high death toll in the deadly collision, has become a focal point of scrutiny, with neither the government, the Korea Airports Corporation, nor the construction companies involved providing clear explanations or disclosing findings about its placement and safety compliance. An executive from a contractor involved in upgrading the localizer — a navigation aid facility linked to the high death toll in the Dec. 29 Jeju Air crash — acknowledged the tragedy, calling it “heartbreaking and regrettable.” However, the executive offered no explanation for the facility’s flawed structure, stating only, “Our employees followed the regulations.” While the investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, one undeniable fact remains: the improper structure of the concrete mount supporting the localizer contributed to the collision and subsequent tragedy. Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Park Sang-woo acknowledged during a parliamentary inquiry on Jan. 14, saying, “Placing a hazardous facility in an emergency preparedness area was a grave mistake.” Story has more.<br/>