(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 5-8; CHANGES photo)

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- A national aviation safety forum was held Friday to explore ways to enhance flight operation safety and improve airport infrastructure, the transport ministry said.

The forum held in Seoul brought together aviation and airport experts, members of a government aviation safety committee, and industry representatives to discuss regulatory reforms and systemic improvements in the sector.

Participants discussed ways to align safety regulations with operational efficiency and means of strengthening the aviation maintenance sector.

They also examined measures to enhance the reliability of airport infrastructure, such as localizers, which have been scrutinized as a potential factor in a deadly Jeju Air Co. crash in December.

Kim Yeon-myung, dean of the graduate school of aviation at Hanseo University, proposed the establishment of an independent aviation safety agency to strengthen oversight of domestic airlines.

At the forum, Kim underscored that 32 out of 36 member states on the council of the International Civil Aviation Organization maintain separate organizations dedicated to aviation safety, highlighting South Korea's need to also establish such an agency.

Song Ki-han, an engineering professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, highlighted the need to improve planning involved in airport construction.

"Currently, there is a lack of consistency between airport design and operations, and insufficient consideration for safety from the design stage," Song said, while calling for stronger review of operational safety standards from the initial design phase.

Based on discussions from the forum, the government plans to announce a comprehensive aviation safety innovation plan next month, according to the ministry.

odissy@yna.co.kr