Executives from Aekyung Group, the parent company of Jeju Air, apologized to families of crash victims after an Aekyung affiliate reportedly held a festive event for employees two days after the disaster.

Jeju Air's chief executive Kim E-bae has also been banned from leaving the country as the investigation continues, the police said.

SEOUL - South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Jan 2 immediate action must be taken if a special inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated in the country finds any issues as authorities ramp up a probe into Dec 29's deadly air crash.