Families of Jeju Air Plane Crash Victims Protest to Police

"Actions on Illegal Matters Not Properly Carried Out"
Jeonnam Police: "Accelerating Investigation, Including Summoning Related Parties"
Criminal Prosecution and Other Procedures to Follow If Charges Are Confirmed

On the 100th day since the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, on the morning of the 7th, bereaved families arranged 300 "spring flower beds" in front of the portraits of the victims at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do. Photo by Min Chanki

The families of the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster have officially protested against the delayed police investigation. The police, however, claim that this is not entirely accurate.

The 12.29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Bereaved Families Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) delivered a letter of protest to the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency on the 15th, stating, "The investigation reports and actions on illegal matters are not being properly carried out."

The Council demanded that the investigation process, future action plans, and briefings for the bereaved families be systematized in a more structured manner.

In response, the Jeonnam police issued a statement on the same day, saying, "We are conducting the investigation according to principles."

The Jeonnam police emphasized, "We have conducted searches and seizures at three locations: Muan Airport, the Muan branch office of the Busan Regional Aviation Administration, and the Jeju Air Seoul office, confiscating over 1,000 items including the air traffic control voice files at the time of the accident, runway CCTV footage, and the localizer construction blueprints. We have also questioned more than 50 individuals as references, including the Jeju Air CEO and executives, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport officials related to Muan Airport construction and improvement works and bird prevention tasks, airport corporation employees, and company officials."

They further explained, "To objectively determine the causal relationship between the accident and the localizer, on February 26, a preliminary investigation was completed by the police, National Forensic Service, Aviation Accident Investigation Board, and advisory professors. In the future, a joint detailed investigation will be conducted to carry out physical analyses such as the impact force between the aircraft and the embankment."

Additionally, "We are also analyzing the aircraft's movement path and engine repair history through advisory committees consisting of professors and forensic video experts. However, for the analysis of the black box FDR and engine disassembly investigation, we are awaiting the results in cooperation with the Aviation Accident Investigation Board," they explained.

Finally, they added, "Based on the results of future investigations, if charges are confirmed, we will proceed with criminal prosecution and other judicial procedures as required."