Son Chang-wan was in office while works were undertaken at Muan International Airport. Last month, a plane crashed into a concrete barrier there, killing 179 people.

South Korean carrier Jeju Air has prematurely ended its charter flights from Busan to the Northern Marianas capital, Saipan. The airline was due to end its service to Saipan on 25, February. But the date was brought forward following the horrific Jeju Air plane crash in December at Muan International Airport that killed 179 people.

Seven airports will also have their runway safety areas adapted following a review of all South Korea's airports that was carried out after the crash - the deadliest in the country's history. The Jeju Air flight was bringing passengers home from Thailand after Christmas when it made an emergency landing at Muan airport and exploded after slamming into a concrete barrier at the end of the runway.

South Korea's transport ministry said on Wednesday that it would remove the concrete embankment installed at Muan International Airport following last month's Jeju Air crash, its deadliest domestic air disaster.

South Korean authorities said on Wednesday they will change the concrete barriers used for navigation at some airports across the country after the Jeju Air crash that left 179 people dead.

The government on Wednesday announced a comprehensive plan to address potential risks associated with emergency landings at airports across the country following last month's deadly Jeju Air accident.