Investigation Headquarters Conducts Six-Month Probe
24 Suspects Booked Including Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Officials
Accused of Negligence in Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster
Further Legal Actions Under Review as Investigation Continues
The number of suspects in the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster has increased to a total of 24 as additional individuals have been booked.
On April 22, officials from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board investigating the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do conducted an on-site inspection of the localizer facility. Photo by Yonhap News
On June 21, the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency’s special investigation team for the Jeju Air passenger plane accident announced that 15 people, including Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport officials, Korea Airports Corporation employees, and localizer facility-related company personnel, have been booked on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death or injury.
Including 15 individuals who were booked as suspects following complaints filed by the victims’ families?such as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sangwoo, Jeju Air CEO Kim Ibae, and the CEO of Korea Airports Corporation?a total of 24 people (excluding duplicates) are now under investigation as suspects.
These individuals were responsible for duties such as air traffic control, bird strike prevention, and construction related to the localizer facility, and are accused of failing to fulfill their respective duties of care. In particular, the installation of the localizer facility mound, a concrete structure, at the end of the runway is considered a serious violation.
Furthermore, air traffic controllers reportedly failed to adequately observe the movement and flight paths of birds or to inform the captain. According to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport guidelines, if a flock of birds is observed, controllers are required to provide the captain with information about the size and direction of the flock for at least 15 minutes. There is also evidence that those responsible for bird control did not properly carry out preventive measures.
On May 13, the investigation team conducted searches and seizures at two locations, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Busan Regional Aviation. Through these searches, they secured and analyzed 1,373 documents related to construction and inspections at Muan International Airport. During this process, 55 individuals were summoned as witnesses and questioned on 60 occasions.
Going forward, the investigation team plans to consider additional bookings and legal procedures, including custody measures, depending on the results of further analysis of seized materials, additional witness interviews, and ongoing technical assessments such as engine disassembly investigations.
A representative from the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency’s investigation team emphasized, “We will conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the law and spare no effort to support the victims’ families and those affected.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
