"Fake News Spreading Like Sewol Ferry and Itaewon Disasters"
"Defamation Is Very Serious... Will Respond Quickly"
Families of victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident are suffering from defamatory posts and comments spreading on fake news and social networking services (SNS), while lawyers in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions have announced plans for legal action against malicious rumors.
Park Cheol, deputy head of the Jeju Air Disaster Legal Support Team, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 2nd and stated, "There is a distortion response team that deals with defamation or the spread of baseless false information against the representatives or families of the victims," adding, "We have confirmed that the spread of false information and defamation by YouTubers or in SNS comments is very serious."
On the morning of the 1st, memorial visits continued at the joint condolence altar for the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident set up in front of Seoul City Hall. Yonhap News
Earlier, some online communities spread defamation and fake news about the families of the Jeju Air accident victims. Fake news claiming that "Park Han-shin, the representative of the victims' association, is a Democratic Party member impersonating the families" circulated online, causing controversy.
Lawyer Park said, "Similar patterns were seen during the Sewol Ferry disaster and the Itaewon tragedy. It seems to start with defamation against the representatives of the families and then expands to defamation and the spread of false information against the general families," emphasizing, "We judged that a swift response is necessary, so we are collecting materials and legal complaints and accusations will proceed within a few days."
Meanwhile, since Aekyung Group, the parent company of Jeju Air, has entrusted legal advice regarding the Muan International Airport disaster to Kim & Chang, the largest law firm in Korea, it is expected that fierce legal battles will follow. Regarding this, Lawyer Park said, "I hope we do not create issues for the families to argue over."
He added, "Based on what is reported in the media, depending on whether the accident was caused by human error or by faulty installation due to poor facility management, Jeju Air or, in some ways, the state could be at fault," and said, "This matter should be handled by the two parties involved. If it is shifted onto the families or such a situation occurs, the public will not tolerate it."
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