South Korean police have referred seven Transport Ministry officials to prosecutors over alleged falsified public statements about the Muan Airport localiser linked to the Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people. The case centres on claims that the officials drafted and circulated misleading material after the 29 December 2024 accident, presenting the runway-end navigation aid as compliant despite knowing it did not meet regulations.
The special investigation team of the National Police Agency examined whether the ministry tried to obscure responsibility for the localiser issue by omitting key safety rules from its initial explanation. Police also suspect the officials built a legal defence around the same talking points after the crash, using internal documents and press materials to support the disputed account. The Transport Ministry did not comment on the referral.
The move is the first prosecution referral in the wider crash investigation and comes as questions over airport safety compliance and official crisis communication remain unresolved. Prosecutors will now consider whether the seven officials should face charges related to document falsification and concealment of the localiser’s non-compliant status at Muan International Airport.