Civilian Advisory Panel Launched to Help Bereaved Families Understand Jeju Air Accident

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will operate a civilian expert advisory panel starting from April 21 in relation to the Jeju Air passenger plane accident.

The advisory panel will help bereaved families better understand the investigation process and findings of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board. Established under the support and memorial committee, which was formed in accordance with the special law recently passed by the National Assembly to support victims and protect their rights, the panel consists of up to 20 experts from various fields, reflecting the opinions of the bereaved families’ association.

The panel is composed of experts with more than five years of experience in a total of eight fields, including flight operations, maintenance, and air traffic control. They will assist bereaved families by providing lectures, forums, and explanatory materials, as well as producing and distributing related documents on the investigation procedures and content. The panel will also help ensure that interim results, such as investigation briefings or fact-finding reports, and responses from the investigation board to questions from bereaved families, can be easily and clearly understood without misunderstanding.

A memorial service is being held on the morning of the 5th at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do, two days before the 100th day since the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. Photo by Yonhap News

Once the investigation board releases its final investigation report, the panel also plans to publish an explanatory booklet to help bereaved families and the general public better understand the findings. The advisory panel held its first meeting on April 17, the day the special law was passed by the National Assembly, to discuss future operations and directions. After April 21, the panel will regularly hold explanatory sessions using bereaved family general meetings, provide support during investigation board briefings, and conduct ongoing advisory activities as needed.

Park Jeongsu, head of the December 29 Passenger Plane Accident Victim Support Team, stated, "This is a practical measure to strengthen the victim support system and reduce distrust and information gaps that may arise during the investigation process."