Jeju Air "Priority on Supporting Victims' Funerals... Will Discuss Insurance Payment"

"Last Night, UK Reinsurance Company Arrived to Start Discussions on Insurance Claims"
Landing Gear Issue on Same Aircraft Model "Under Inspection at Gimpo Airport"

Jeju Air stated regarding the passenger plane crash at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, "We will prioritize supporting the funeral procedures for the bereaved families of the passengers," and added, "The UK reinsurer arrived last night, and we will discuss the specific methods of insurance payment."

On the 30th, Song Kyung-hoon, Head of Management Support at Jeju Air, said at a briefing on accident management held at the Mayfield Hotel in Oebalsan-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, "Currently, the identities of 141 bodies have been confirmed, and we plan to proceed with the process of placing the bodies in the funeral hall after the bereaved families complete the identification procedures." He also stated, "We will respect the funeral procedures as desired by the bereaved families."

Song explained, "Today, an additional 37 employees were dispatched to Muan Airport, making a total of about 300 people involved in accident management," and added, "Although the identification of the bodies is not yet complete, we are directly listening to the necessary matters to provide psychological stability to the bereaved families."

Regarding insurance payments, he said, "We will discuss insurance processing with the UK reinsurer who arrived yesterday," and added, "The insurance payment will be specifically negotiated at the time requested by the bereaved families after completing accident management and funeral procedures."

Amid the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that resulted in 179 deaths, a mourner visiting the joint memorial altar set up at Muan Sports Park near Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do on the 30th touches the memorial tablet of the victims. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The aircraft involved in the Jeju Air accident is covered by liability insurance worth a total of 1 billion USD (1.476 trillion KRW). This insurance is a product of insurers including Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, and these insurers have reinsured this policy with the UK insurance company AXA XL.

Jeju Air announced that it has secured accommodations for the bereaved families at hotels near Gwangju, Mokpo City in Jeollanam-do, and Muan County in Jeollanam-do, as well as dormitories at Mokpo National University. Song said, "With the help of local governments, we have secured the Mokpo National University dormitories to provide accommodations for the bereaved families," and added, "Not all bereaved families have moved there, but I understand that some moved around midnight last night."

Regarding the landing gear (devices necessary for takeoff and landing such as airplane wheels) malfunction and other issues that occurred on a Jeju Air passenger plane of the same model as the accident aircraft on the morning of the day after the tragedy, he said, "It is currently being inspected at Gimpo Airport." On the 30th at 6:37 AM, Jeju Air flight 7C101 bound for Jeju, which departed from Gimpo Airport, returned to Gimpo Airport immediately after takeoff due to a landing gear malfunction. This is the same issue with parts known to be the cause of the accident on the same aircraft at the time of the tragedy.

Song Kyung-hoon, Head of Management Support Division at Jeju Air, is giving a briefing on the Muan Jeju Air accident at the Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 30th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Song explained, "It was judged that there was an abnormality related to the landing gear on that flight, and after communicating with the maintenance control center, the landing gear was confirmed to be functioning normally," adding, "However, the pilot of this flight decided it was better to return and undergo inspection for safe operation."

Jeju Air will also support the two surviving crew members from the accident the previous day. Song said, "We will spare no support not only for the families of the passengers but also for the crew," and added, "If they wish to transfer to other departments after full recovery, we can discuss it."