The deadly crash at Muan International Airport still raises questions as families seek a deeper investigation.
Families Demand Accountability in Jeju Air Crash After Filing Criminal Complaint
Families Demand Accountability in Jeju Air Crash After Filing Criminal Complaint
Bereaved relatives of the December plane crash victims push for justice against multiple officials, including Jeju Air CEO.
In a significant move, families of the victims from last December's tragic Jeju Air plane crash have filed a criminal complaint against 15 individuals, including the South Korean transport minister and Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae. The complaint stems from the fatal incident that occurred on December 29, which claimed 179 lives out of 181 on board, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea's history.
The 72 relatives involved assert that the crash was far more than an accident, branding it a "major civic disaster" linked to the negligence of those responsible for managing risks. Nearly five months after the event, they express frustration over the slow pace of the investigation being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy at Muan International Airport, where the aircraft belly-landed without its landing gear and subsequently caught fire.
An initial police investigation had already commenced before this latest complaint, which raised the stakes by restricting the Jeju Air CEO's travel abroad. Despite the seriousness of the situation, no formal charges have yet been brought against any suspects. One of the grieving relatives, Kim Da-hye, voiced her family's outrage over what they believe to be inadequate progress, stating, "We are filled with deep anger and despair. Having taken this extraordinary measure of filing a criminal complaint, we will not give up and will continue to pursue the truth."
Alongside Kim E-bae, various government and airline officials, as well as airport personnel responsible for several operational aspects such as facility management and bird control, were named in the legal complaint. The document questions the adequacy of response from air traffic control and whether construction regulations were followed regarding a mound at the runway's end.
The Boeing 737-800 involved had departed from Bangkok on December 29. Shortly before the crash, the pilots reported a bird strike, leading them to declare a mayday alert. Attempting an emergency landing in another direction, the aircraft belly-landed, overran the runway, collided with a concrete structure, and ultimately exploded.
Preliminary investigations revealed bird feathers found in both of the aircraft's engines, although the extent of the bird strike's impact on the crash remains undetermined. In a troubling aftermath, some families have faced online harassment, including conspiracy theories and derogatory comments suggesting that they were profiting from the tragedy. Law enforcement has since detained multiple individuals for these defamatory acts.
The 72 relatives involved assert that the crash was far more than an accident, branding it a "major civic disaster" linked to the negligence of those responsible for managing risks. Nearly five months after the event, they express frustration over the slow pace of the investigation being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy at Muan International Airport, where the aircraft belly-landed without its landing gear and subsequently caught fire.
An initial police investigation had already commenced before this latest complaint, which raised the stakes by restricting the Jeju Air CEO's travel abroad. Despite the seriousness of the situation, no formal charges have yet been brought against any suspects. One of the grieving relatives, Kim Da-hye, voiced her family's outrage over what they believe to be inadequate progress, stating, "We are filled with deep anger and despair. Having taken this extraordinary measure of filing a criminal complaint, we will not give up and will continue to pursue the truth."
Alongside Kim E-bae, various government and airline officials, as well as airport personnel responsible for several operational aspects such as facility management and bird control, were named in the legal complaint. The document questions the adequacy of response from air traffic control and whether construction regulations were followed regarding a mound at the runway's end.
The Boeing 737-800 involved had departed from Bangkok on December 29. Shortly before the crash, the pilots reported a bird strike, leading them to declare a mayday alert. Attempting an emergency landing in another direction, the aircraft belly-landed, overran the runway, collided with a concrete structure, and ultimately exploded.
Preliminary investigations revealed bird feathers found in both of the aircraft's engines, although the extent of the bird strike's impact on the crash remains undetermined. In a troubling aftermath, some families have faced online harassment, including conspiracy theories and derogatory comments suggesting that they were profiting from the tragedy. Law enforcement has since detained multiple individuals for these defamatory acts.
