Law Violations Confirmed After Six-Month Investigation by Special Task Force
Jeju Air CEO Kim Ibae and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sangwoo Among Those Booked
Further Investigations Underway... Support for Bereaved Families and Victims to Be Strengthened
On January 18, black ribbons, wedding veils, and memorial messages were hung on the fence at the site of the 12·29 passenger plane disaster at Muan Airport. Photo by Song Bohyun
In connection with the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, which claimed 179 lives, a total of 24 individuals have been booked.
According to the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency's investigation headquarters for the Jeju Air passenger plane accident on June 21, 24 individuals?including officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, employees of Korea Airports Corporation, and related company personnel?have been booked on criminal charges. The police concluded, after a six-month investigation into the explosion of Jeju Air flight 7C2216 at Muan International Airport at approximately 9:03 a.m. on December 29 last year, that these individuals violated regulations related to air traffic control, bird strike prevention, and airport facility laws.
Notably, Kim Ibae, CEO of Jeju Air, and Park Sangwoo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who were named in a complaint filed by the bereaved families in May, were also included among those booked.
The suspects are being charged with professional negligence resulting in death, among other offenses.
On May 13, the investigation headquarters conducted searches and seizures at two locations: the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Busan Regional Aviation Office. Through these searches, investigators secured and analyzed 1,373 documents related to construction and inspections at Muan International Airport.
During the investigation, 55 individuals were called in as witnesses and questioned a total of 60 times.
The investigation headquarters plans to continue with additional investigations, including further analysis of seized materials and witness interviews. Depending on the results of ongoing forensic analyses and the engine disassembly investigation, additional individuals may be booked and legal action may be taken as warranted.
A representative from the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency's investigation headquarters emphasized, "We will conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the law. We will also do our utmost to support the bereaved families and victims."
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