First Anniversary Statement on the '12·29 Muan International Airport Disaster'
Cause and Responsibility Remain Unresolved After One Year
On the first anniversary of the '12·29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Muan International Airport Disaster,' members of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council called for a thorough investigation and identification of those responsible through an independent accident inquiry. They cited the fact that, even after one year since the accident, the exact cause and accountability have not been clarified, leaving the bereaved families and the public with unresolved questions and distrust.
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 inspection of the localizer facility. Photo by Yonhap News
In a statement released on the 26th, all members of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council said, "A year has passed since the '12·29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Muan International Airport Disaster,' which claimed the precious lives of 179 people, but the exact cause of the accident and who is responsible have yet to be determined. The bereaved families are still unable to leave Muan Airport, enduring a time of pain."
The council members pointed out that, from immediately after the accident until now, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board has faced criticism for conducting what has been called a 'self-investigation.' They noted that delays in the investigation, non-disclosure of materials, exclusion of bereaved families from the process, and controversies over forced public hearings have all revealed the limitations and credibility issues of the current accident investigation system.
They urged, "The government must now actively pursue a thorough investigation and responsible inquiry. The cause of the accident and those accountable must be fully revealed, leaving no suspicion unresolved, and the results of the investigation must be transparently released to the bereaved families and the public."
They also called on the National Assembly to swiftly pass legislation to convert the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board into an independent accident investigation body under the Office of the Prime Minister. They argued that institutional reforms are needed to ensure the independence and credibility of the investigating agency.
Furthermore, they emphasized that the government must establish a long-term and continuous support system for the bereaved families under state responsibility. Institutional backing is necessary to heal the wounds of the disaster and help the bereaved families return to their normal lives.
The Gwangju Metropolitan Council members stated, "Since immediately after the accident, we have continuously participated in on-site volunteer activities and called for improvements to related systems. We will continue to remember the '12·29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Muan International Airport Disaster' to the end and stand with the bereaved families to ensure this tragedy does not remain an 'unsolved disaster.'" They added, "We will not stop moving toward a safer society."
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