Jeju Air Disaster Bereaved Families to Begin Head-Shaving and Overnight Sit-In Protest in Front of Presidential Office on December 1

Call for Suspension of ARAIB Public Hearing
and Transfer to an Independent Investigative Body

The bereaved families of the victims of the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster are mounting strong opposition just four days before the public hearing on the accident investigation by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB). On December 1, they will begin a head-shaving protest and an overnight sit-in in front of the Presidential Office. The families argue that pushing ahead with the hearing without ensuring the independence of the investigating body constitutes an "attempt to downplay and cover up the disaster."

On the 1st, bereaved families of the victims of the December 29 passenger plane disaster prepared to march toward the Yongsan Presidential Office, in front of Yongsan Station in Seoul, demanding "punishment of those responsible and a thorough investigation." Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The December 29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Disaster Bereaved Families Council announced on the 30th, "We will fight with unwavering determination to halt the public hearing and transfer the investigation to another body," adding, "The bereaved families will hold a head-shaving ceremony in front of the Presidential Office and immediately begin an outdoor sit-in protest."

The bereaved families have consistently demanded that the ARAIB be transferred from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to an independent investigative body under the Prime Minister's Office. They cite unavoidable concerns about the credibility of an accident investigation being conducted by a committee affiliated with the ministry responsible for aviation and railway policy.

However, with these demands unmet and the ARAIB announcing a public hearing to present the investigation results on December 4-5, the bereaved families strongly condemned the move, saying, "They are trying to hastily wrap up the investigation process."

In the National Assembly, a bill to make the ARAIB independent from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been introduced, but discussions have stalled as the bill review was postponed on the 26th.

The Bereaved Families Council plans to hold a press conference on December 1 to once again raise the issue of the independence of the investigating body and to call for the suspension of the public hearing and the transfer of the ARAIB through a head-shaving ceremony, a candlelight vigil, and an overnight sit-in protest.