In the wake of the Jeju Air disaster, discussions have intensified regarding the establishment of an independent agency dedicated to aviation safety. The government plans to commission a second research study on this matter this month.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) on March 1, the ministry is preparing additional research to establish a dedicated aviation safety organization.
This follow-up study aims to address shortcomings identified in the initial study completed at the end of last year. It will focus on developing a more concrete organizational model by incorporating feedback from industry stakeholders and experts.
A MOLIT official stated that they’re preparing to commission additional research that reflects various opinions. The plan is to comprehensively review the necessity and direction of not only establishing a new organization but also strengthening existing ones.
Last month, during a seminar held at the National Assembly titled, Advancing Korea’s Aviation Safety Organization, MOLIT emphasized the need for a robust and trustworthy aviation safety organization.
At that discussion, Yoo Kyung-soo, the head of aviation safety policy at MOLIT, remarked that the scale and complexity of the aviation industry are increasing. It needs to seriously review the level of financial investment and organizational structure to enhance safety.
Major Countries Already Operate Dedicated Agencies
Currently, among the 36 member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 32 have established independent organizations focused on aviation safety.
The U.S. has the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the largest dedicated aviation safety organization under the Department of Transportation, which oversees all aspects of civil aviation safety. The FAA serves as an integrated safety control tower with authority over safety regulations, certifications, oversight, audits, and enforcement actions.
Similarly, the United Kingdom has the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under its Department for Transport, responsible for establishing aviation safety regulations, licensing, and oversight.
As major countries operate independent safety organizations, the necessity for a dedicated organization in South Korea has been raised again.
Following the Jeju Air incident, Chae Yeon-seok, the former chair of the MOLIT Aviation Safety Innovation Committee, pointed out that South Korea received a recommendation from ICAO to establish an independent aviation safety agency after the Guam passenger plane crash, but it has yet to implement it. The current decentralized structure limits the ability to enhance safety.
Son Won-bae, a professor in the Department of Fire and Disaster Management at Chodang University, noted that while the Korea Coast Guard handles maritime safety and the National Fire Agency oversees land safety, there is no dedicated agency for aviation. Given the surge in aviation demand, an organization focused on aviation safety is not optional but essential.
He further emphasized that in a structure where functions are divided among various departments under MOLIT, the independence and consistency of policy implementation may suffer. Establishing an independent organizational system is necessary.
