Conflict Between Investigation Board and Bereaved Families Over Detailed Engine Investigation Results
Bereaved Families Outraged: "This Is Not a Reasonable Announcement of Investigation Results"
Press Briefing Disrupted Without Reaching Agreement... Only Highlighting the Conflict
On the afternoon of the 19th at 3 PM, at the large conference room on the 3rd floor of the Muan International Airport administration building, bereaved families entered the press briefing venue for the 'Detailed Engine Investigation Results' of the Jeju Air flight 7C2216 explosion accident and protested. Photo by Min Chanki
Amid strong opposition from the bereaved families, the press briefing scheduled for the 19th to announce the 'Detailed Engine Investigation Results Related to the 12·29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster' was abruptly canceled.
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (hereafter referred to as the Investigation Board) had planned to announce the 'Detailed Engine Investigation Results' at 3 PM that day in the large conference room on the 3rd floor of the Muan International Airport administration building. The investigation was aimed at determining the cause of the Jeju Air flight 7C2216 explosion accident that occurred at 9:03 AM on December 29 last year at Muan International Airport.
DNA presumed to be from a Eurasian teal was detected in both engines of the aircraft collected immediately after the Jeju Air accident, and 'bird strike' has been raised as one of the main causes of the engine failure in the accident aircraft.
It was confirmed that the government-level investigation results regarding these controversies were to be included in the briefing that day.
Prior to this, the Investigation Board held a general meeting from 2 PM to explain the contents in advance to the bereaved families. The Investigation Board's policy was to disclose the investigation results to the media only after reaching an agreement with the bereaved families.
However, it is reported that there was serious conflict between the Investigation Board and the bereaved families, including heated arguments over the findings regarding the cause of the aircraft engine damage. As a result, the press briefing was delayed by more than an hour.
Around 4 PM, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Investigation Board attempted to hold a press briefing, stating that an agreement had been reached with the bereaved families regarding the investigation results. However, upon hearing this, the bereaved families requested the cancellation of the press briefing, stating, "We cannot accept the Investigation Board's findings today."
The bereaved families also expressed their frustration, saying, "If the results of the accident have been determined, there should be supporting evidence, but there was none at all. The Investigation Board either ignored or completely withheld the materials requested by the bereaved families."
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Investigation Board confirmed only the conflict with the bereaved families and canceled the scheduled press briefing that day before leaving the site.
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