Former Airports Corp. Chief who oversaw Muan localizer renovation Found Dead

Son Chang Wan, a former president of Korea Airports Corporation, was found dead on January 21, according to police reports.

Police stated that Son Chang Wan was discovered at his home in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play, and no suicide note was found.

Son Chang Wan was appointed as the 12th president of Korea Airports Corporation in December 2018 and served until February 2022. During his tenure, he oversaw significant safety initiatives, including the May 2020 modernization project for the landing localizer system at Muan International Airport. A landing localizer, or simply localizer (LOC), is a radio-based system designed to guide pilots in aligning their aircraft with the runway's centerline during landing. It is a key part of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), which aids pilots in landing safely under low-visibility conditions.

However, the localizer was built on a concrete structure at Muan Airport and has since been identified as a significant contributing factor to the Jeju Air crash on December 29, which claimed the lives of 179 passengers and crew members, leaving two others injured.

In the aftermath of the Jeju Air disaster, Son Chang Wan, faced increasing criticism online. Many questioned his qualifications and pointed out his lack of expertise in aviation.

Son Chang Wan’s career included roles as Chief of the Ansan Police Station, Commissioner of the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency, and President of the Korean National Police University. He later entered politics, running as a Democratic Party candidate in the 2016 National Assembly elections for Danwon District in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, though he was not elected.

※ If you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm or suicide, seek help as soon as possible by contacting agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention in the United States and abroad.

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