[Aircraft Disaster] Family Representative "Desperate for Enactment of Special Law"

Park Hanshin Attends National Assembly's 'Jeju Air Disaster Special Committee' on the 6th
"Thorough Investigation Urged... Hopes for Comprehensive Review of Aviation Safety"

The representative of the bereaved families from the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster has urged the enactment of a so-called 'December 29 Jeju Air Disaster Special Act'.

Hanshin Park, Representative of the Bereaved Families Association. Yonhap News

Park Hanshin, the head of the Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Family Association, stated at the plenary meeting of the 'Special Committee for Fact-Finding on the December 29 Passenger Plane Disaster and Relief for Victims and Bereaved Families' held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th, "We earnestly request the enactment of a special law so that the protection and support for the disaster victims and bereaved families can be carried out systematically and promptly."

Park emphasized, "Please ensure that both the formal and substantive aspects of the investigation are thoroughly addressed so that the truth behind the accident can be fully uncovered. The principle is that the fact-finding should be carried out from the victims' perspective, leaving no room for suspicion," adding, "It is necessary to form an investigation committee that represents the victims' standpoint, allows their participation in the investigation, and shares the findings at each stage of the process."

Park also called for appropriate accountability for those responsible for causing the disaster. He said, "Regardless of the degree of responsibility, it is an unchanging fact that the airline, manufacturer, government, and other related parties are the root causes of the disaster according to the investigation results," and added, "Not only should strict accountability be enforced, but the bereaved families should also be the first to know about the process and the results."

He continued, "Please pay attention to the livelihoods and mental well-being of the bereaved families. Many of them are now facing dire financial situations due to this disaster," and said, "Do not tolerate any inhumane attempts to defame or insult the victims and their families, such as criticizing, ridiculing, or throwing stones at them for amusement."

Park stated, "The bereaved families believe this disaster should serve as an opportunity to thoroughly inspect the entire aviation safety system in Korea, and that such sorrow should never be repeated in this country." He appealed, "Even if it is not perfect, we earnestly and strongly request the enactment of the December 29 Jeju Air Disaster Special Act that includes the points we have emphasized."