Resignation of Hangcheolwi Chairman for Fair Investigation
Exclusion of Director of Aviation Policy Office from Duties
Minister Park Sang-woo Expresses Resignation over Disaster
"Feeling Deep Responsibility for This Tragedy"
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo announced on the 7th that related personnel from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, including the chairman of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (hereinafter 'ARAIB'), have been excluded from the investigation duties to ensure a fair investigation into the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred at Muan International Airport.
Minister Park stated this during a briefing on the Jeju Air disaster held at the Government Complex Sejong in the afternoon, saying, "As the minister responsible for aviation safety, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for this disaster." He added, "As a responsible authority, I intend to act appropriately and am currently consulting on the proper methods and timing." This is interpreted as expressing his intention to take responsibility through resignation after managing the aftermath of the disaster.
Minister Park said, "Regarding concerns about the fairness of the investigation, the chairman of ARAIB, who had been questioned, expressed his intention to resign as of today, and the standing member, Director General of Aviation Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has been excluded from the investigation and other ARAIB duties." The ARAIB, which is the main body investigating this disaster, was chaired by former Director General of Air Traffic at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Jang Man-hee. The standing member was Ju Jong-wan, Director General of Aviation Policy at the Ministry.
The '12·29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Families Association,' composed of victims' families, strongly opposed this. At a press conference held at Muan Airport on the 4th, they stated, "There is suspicion that airport facilities were one of the causes of the disaster, yet a former Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official is the investigation chairman, and a current ministry official is the standing member," and demanded, "Exclude Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport personnel from the investigation or establish a separate investigative body to dispel these 'self-investigation' suspicions."
They pointed out that since the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is the final authority responsible for managing and supervising airport facilities, including the localizer identified as a cause that worsened the accident damage, the participation of ministry officials in the accident investigation constitutes a conflict of interest.
Minister Park said in this regard, "For the victims' families and the public to understand, the accident investigation must be objective and transparent," adding, "If insurance companies raise suspicions, it could complicate insurance payments, so the accident investigation must be conducted without any doubts, which is the view not only of the bereaved families but also of us."
He continued, "To secure the fairness, objectivity, and transparency of the investigation and to guarantee the independence of ARAIB, we will promote legal amendments and institutional improvements, including reorganization of the committee's structure and personnel composition."
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