The plane crash is the first major test for South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, who was appointed the interim leader only on Friday, as the country grapples with a political crisis at the highest levels.

The turnover at the top of Asia’s fourth-largest economy left the government scrambling when Jeju Air flight 7C2216 slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport on Sunday

South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Thursday immediate action must be taken if a special inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated in the country

Finance Minister Choi becomes second acting president in weeks Choi has pledged unlimited liquidity to calm financial markets Veteran economic technocrat spent over 30

South Korea's political turmoil deepens. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now the acting president, following the impeachment of Han Duck-soo over his refusal to appoint justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court.

Yoon has been lying low at his official residence in Hannam-dong, an upscale district popular with business tycoons and celebrities known as Korea's Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, investigators seeking to question him on allegations of insurrection have struggled to execute a warrant for his arrest.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met South Korea’s acting leader Choi Sang-mok in Seoul on Monday. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.