[Report] "Jeju Air Disaster Engine Investigation Results Unilaterally Announced... Save the 179 Lives"

Bereaved Families Oppose Engine Investigation Briefing on the 19th
Claim That Announcement of Unsubstantiated Findings Is a 'Second Offense'

On the afternoon of the 19th at Muan Airport in Jeollanam-do, Kim Yujin, the representative of the Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Bereaved Families Association, is speaking about their position after the on-site briefing on the detailed engine investigation results of the December 29 passenger plane disaster by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board was canceled. Photo by Min Chanki

"Absolutely not. We cannot accept this."

At 4:10 p.m. on July 19, in the large conference room on the 3rd floor of the management building at Muan International Airport, the desperate cries of bereaved families echoed through the venue, demanding the cancellation of the briefing on the 'Detailed Engine Investigation Results' regarding the Jeju Air flight 7C2216 explosion accident, which had been scheduled by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (hereinafter referred to as the Investigation Board).

On this day, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Investigation Board had announced a press briefing to present the results of the investigation into the engine of the accident aircraft, which is suspected to be one of the causes of the Jeju Air accident.

At the scene, journalists and media representatives from across the country were waiting. The press briefing, originally scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., was repeatedly delayed and had not started even by 4 p.m., an hour later.

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 and protested during the press briefing on the 'Detailed Engine Investigation Results' of the Jeju Air flight 7C2216 explosion accident. Photo by Min Chanki

The delay occurred because no agreement was reached during a prior general meeting between the Investigation Board and the bereaved families, which was intended as a preliminary explanation.

Among the journalists gathered at the site, there began to be speculation that there was friction between the Investigation Board and the bereaved families. Some even raised the possibility that the briefing might collapse altogether. Amidst this, a representative from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced, "The briefing will begin soon."

At that moment, the bereaved families, in voices close to screams, demanded the cancellation of the briefing, insisting, "Today's briefing absolutely cannot take place." They argued, "There was no agreement reached during the general meeting, and we cannot accept the one-sided investigation results from the Investigation Board."

The bereaved families raised their voices, calling the Investigation Board's release of the investigation results without supporting evidence a 'second offense.' Some family members, through tears, pleaded, "Save the 179 lives."

Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and family representatives tried to calm the situation, but the backlash did not subside easily.

At 4 p.m. on the 19th, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is receiving a briefing outside the conference room on the 3rd floor of the management building at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam. Photo by Min Chanki

When officials from the Investigation Board, unaware of these developments, appeared at the briefing venue, the reaction from the bereaved families became even more intense.

As the Investigation Board officials took the podium to start the press briefing, the bereaved families shouted again, "Who gave you permission to hold this briefing?"

Only after the Investigation Board officials, belatedly grasping the situation, left the venue did the atmosphere begin to calm down.

The attorney representing the bereaved families stepped forward to clarify the situation once more. He stated, "They claim the detailed engine investigation found no issues, but they have not disclosed any supporting evidence. They released an investigation report shifting responsibility to birds and the deceased pilot. However, such a conclusion requires a rigorous investigation, which was not conducted." He continued, "Even during the previous general meeting, they said the investigation was complete, but then displayed various materials in a PowerPoint presentation and repeatedly claimed, 'The investigation is still ongoing,' undermining trust."

Kim Yujin, the representative of the Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Bereaved Families Association, remarked, "It seems the Investigation Board only wanted to share selected information." She criticized, "In order for the bereaved families to accept the results, the causes and evidence must be explained. However, when asked why these results were reached, the only response was that they could not disclose that information."

She added, "The Investigation Board claims the investigation process is confidential to protect its independence, but in reality, they are only releasing unilateral results. The mound within Muan Airport has been identified as a factor that worsened the disaster's damage, and while safety recommendations can be made during ongoing investigations, there are still six such mounds at domestic airports."