Choi, Acting Authority, "Transparent Disclosure of Muan Accident Investigation Process... Safety Inspection of Aircraft Operation System"

Opening Remarks at the 4th Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Yonhap News

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Strategy and Finance, instructed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 30th to "conduct a safety inspection of the aircraft operation system" in relation to the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. He also stated that even before the final investigation results are released, the investigation process will be transparently disclosed and shared with the bereaved families.

At the 4th meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, Acting President Choi said, "The essence of this measure is to fundamentally innovate the aviation safety system and move towards a safer Republic of Korea."

Regarding the investigation into the cause of the accident, he said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the National Police Agency should conduct a strict investigation," and added, "Even before the final results are out, the investigation process will be transparently disclosed and communicated to the bereaved families."

Acting President Choi also said, "An integrated support center will be operated under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to promptly explain and resolve any concerns or frustrations the bereaved families may have," and added, "The procedures and processes of accident handling will also be communicated to the bereaved families."

He requested Jeju Air's cooperation to ensure a thorough cause analysis. Acting President Choi said, "It pains me as Acting President that an unexpected accident occurred amid the difficulties faced by the public," and added, "I will manage state affairs without disruption to comfort the bereaved families and protect the daily lives of the people."

Acting President Choi fully activated the CDSCH immediately after the accident the previous day. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was appointed as the first deputy head, and the acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety as the second deputy head, mobilizing government-wide capabilities for rapid response and preparation of damage recovery measures. The Task Force (TF) team for the Muan accident and response support, formed within the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, is led by Budget Office Director Kim Dong-il as TF head and consists of the Economic Budget Officer, Land Budget Section Chief, Administrative Budget Section Chief, Pension and Health Budget Section Chief, and Safety Budget Section Chief. The TF will assist Acting President Choi by sharing information among ministries and implementing follow-up procedures such as budget allocation following the declaration of Muan as a special disaster area.