Jeon Jinsook Proposes Special Act on December 29 Passenger Plane Disaster

State Responsibility for Victim Recovery Support... Punishment for Secondary Harm

Jin Jin-sook, Member of the National Assembly.

A special law is being promoted to support the victims and restore the community in relation to the December 29 passenger plane disaster, which resulted in the largest loss of life in the history of Korean aviation.

Jeon Jinsook, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangju Buk-gu-eul), announced on the 6th that she has proposed the “Special Act for Guaranteeing the Rights of Victims of the December 29 Passenger Plane Disaster” (hereinafter referred to as the “December 29 Passenger Plane Disaster Special Act”), which aims to honor the victims, guarantee the rights of those affected, and support the recovery of the impacted community.

This bill goes beyond one-time support, providing comprehensive measures to guarantee the dignity and rights of victims from a long-term perspective and to assist in the recovery of the community after the disaster.

The special law establishes a system to support all aspects of victims’ daily lives, including living support funds, medical assistance, psychological counseling, examinations and treatment for psychological symptoms and mental illnesses, care support, legal assistance, and healing leave. It also includes provisions to prevent the social isolation of victims by establishing a Mental Health Recovery Support Center and conducting long-term follow-up studies, as well as managing their mental and physical health and long-term aftereffects.

In addition, not only bereaved families but also those recognized as having suffered physical, psychological, or economic harm due to the December 29 passenger plane disaster will be eligible for appropriate support. This approach is based on the understanding that the impact of the disaster extends beyond individuals to the entire local community.

Notably, the bill also includes strong measures against secondary harm. It imposes an obligation on the state to prepare measures to prevent secondary harm to victims and survivors, thereby clearly defining the state’s responsibility for their protection. The bill also specifies penalties for acts of secondary harm against victims or survivors after the disaster and introduces the concept of offenses not subject to complaint withdrawal.

Jeon emphasized, “This special bill is the first step in establishing a comprehensive support system to guarantee the practical rights and daily recovery of the victims of the December 29 passenger plane disaster,” adding, “I will do my utmost to ensure its passage through the National Assembly so that victims can achieve complete recovery?mentally, physically, and economically?without being socially isolated.”