Officials said Friday that US aviation authorities have downgraded South Korea's air safety rating dealing a severe blow to its two main airlines. South Korean ministers said they would make a protest to Washington.
Ministry official said... US embassy charge d'affaires in Seoul, Evans Revere, informed the construction and transport minister on Thursday that the US Federation Aviation Administration (FAA) had cut South Korea's safety rating to Category II.
Finance and Economy Minister Jin Nyum held an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the move which will prevent Korean Air Lines and Asian Airlines from adding to routes to the United States or having codesharing deals with US airlines for at least 12 months. Afterwards he said US investigators had failed South Korean safety procedures in eight areas. Jin said South Korea will protest the rating change.
Construction and Transport Minister Oh Jang-Seop said: it is regretfuls that the US government broke its earlier promise to consult with the government and went ahead with the measure. The minister said South Korea was implementing measures to fix problems pointed out by US aviation authorities.
The ministry said...a bill for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate plane accidents and ensure stricter safety will be introduced in parliament in September.
Officials also said the number of aviation safety and control personnel at the ministry would be raised from 58 to 103.