On the 22nd, officials from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board investigating the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam are conducting an on-site investigation of the localizer facility. Photo by Yonhap News
The families of the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster have strongly condemned the unilateral push by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), which is under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to hold a public hearing, and have demanded a complete suspension of all investigative activities.
On the 19th, the Council of Families of the Victims of the 12·29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster issued a statement, saying, "We strongly denounce the ARAIB's attempt to unilaterally proceed with a public hearing without prior disclosure of information or consultation with the bereaved families," and added, "We sternly demand the temporary suspension of all investigative activities related to this disaster until the ARAIB is made independent from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."
They stated, "The ARAIB, as an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has already proven itself unqualified in terms of independence, expertise, and fairness," and continued, "The ARAIB is severely lacking in expertise due to insufficient capabilities, manpower, and budget. It has pushed ahead with conclusive press briefings without clear evidence through inadequate interim reports, and has undermined the credibility of the investigation by engaging in media manipulation through the biased leaking of information by some investigation team members."
They further argued, "The unilateral push for a public hearing is the culmination of all the problems so far, and is an act that undermines the spirit of the special law," and explained, "A public hearing is a system for collecting opinions from stakeholders and experts in advance, and its purpose can only be achieved if sufficient information is disclosed and participants are given a reasonable opportunity to prepare their opinions."
In addition, they pointed out, "The ARAIB is attempting to force a formal public hearing without disclosing any information," and criticized, "This push for a public hearing is merely a procedural formality aimed at exonerating the inadequate and biased investigation results."
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