What caused fatal crash of Jeju Air flight?

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - A Jeju Air flight exploded during a landing attempt at an airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday, claiming 179 lives. The deadliest disaster in the country's aviation history has sparked widespread speculation, just ahead of a full-scale investigation to determine why the plane crashed into the runway and what led to the failure of its landing gear. The passenger plane, which departed from Bangkok, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Muan

December 30, 2024

Construction contracts surge on semiconductor facility projects

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea's construction contract value jumped 18 percent year-on-year to 53.7 trillion won ($41.3 billion) in the third quarter, driven largely by major semiconductor facility projects, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported Monday. Civil engineering contracts soared 56.2 percent to 18.2 trillion won, while building construction increased 4.9 percent to 35.5 trillion won. Private sector contracts rose 21.1 percent to 41.7 tril

December 30, 2024

Quiet acts of kindness, solidarity emerge at plane crash site

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - A gesture of solidarity that gained prominence during protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol has quietly extended to the scene of South Korea’s most devastating aviation tragedy in years. On Monday morning, a handwritten sign appeared at a cafe near Gate 4 on the second floor of Muan International Airport, offering solace to the grieving: “Volunteers and bereaved families, please enjoy an Americano or cafe latte. It’s prepaid.”

December 30, 2024

After 18 years of growth, Jeju Air confronts its worst disaster

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Jeju Air, South Korea's largest low-cost carrier (LCC) involved in Sunday's fatal crash at Muan Airport, was established in 2005 as a joint venture between AK Holdings and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, marking nearly two decades of operations before its first major accident. The airline, which became the first Korean budget carrier to operate international routes in 2009 and list on the stock market in 2015, operates 42 aircraft serving 5

December 30, 2024

Jimmy Carter's complex legacy on Korean Peninsula

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Throughout his career as both president and private citizen, Jimmy Carter maintained a complex and sometimes contentious relationship with the Korean Peninsula, challenging South Korea's military government over human rights and engaging in unprecedented diplomacy with North Korea. Carter, the 39th U.S. president (1977–1981), died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. During his presidency, Carter's campaign promise

December 30, 2024

About 140 victims identified in fatal plane crash as efforts to verify remaining passengers continue

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The bodies of around 140 victims from a Jeju Air plane that crashed in southwestern South Korea on Sunday were identified on Monday, while efforts to verify the remaining victims continue. Most of their identities were confirmed through fingerprint recognition. The deadly crash carrying 181 people exploded while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province the previous day, claiming 179 lives and leaving two survivors. Rescu

December 30, 2024

Investigators seek arrest warrant for Yoon

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Investigators are seeking an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol over his aborted martial law debacle earlier this month, as he continues to refuse to appear for questioning. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in the government, said on Monday that it had filed a request for an arrest warrant the previous day for Yoon on charges of insurrection and abuse of p

December 30, 2024

Korea narrows export gap with Japan to record low

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s export gap with Japan has narrowed to an unprecedented $20.2 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, as the country climbed to sixth place in global export rankings, government data revealed Monday. The Korea International Trade Association reported that South Korea’s exports totaled $622.4 billion from January to November, compared to Japan’s $642.6 billion. The gap is the smallest since the staggering differences seen in t

December 30, 2024

Special inspections underway on Boeing 737-800s after plane crash

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said Monday it has launched special inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic airlines, following the tragic Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport that left 179 people dead. During a press briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong, Joo Jong-wan, head of the ministry’s Aviation Policy Office, said the government is prioritizing a thorough review of maintenance system

December 30, 2024

Korea eyes export boom to Philippines as bilateral FTA takes effect

SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea is gearing up for a boost in exports to the Philippines, especially in automobiles and auto parts, as a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force on Dec. 31. The deal is set to open up new opportunities for South Korean businesses in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies, according to a report released Monday by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). The Philippines, South Korea's 15th-largest tra

December 30, 2024