Gwangju Holds Citizens' Memorial Ahead of First Anniversary of Muan Airport Jeju Air Disaster

Bereaved Families: "Zero Responsible Parties Punished, Zero Information Disclosed"
Political Leaders and Local Governments Call for Investigation and Parliamentary Inquiry
Honoring 179 Victims and Pledging to Prevent Recurrence

On the afternoon of the 27th, two days before the first anniversary of the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, bereaved families are laying flowers at the first anniversary Gwangju-Jeonnam memorial event held at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Gwangju-Jeonnam citizens' memorial event to honor the 179 victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred at Muan International Airport on December 29 last year was held on the 27th at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Held two days before the first anniversary of the disaster, bereaved families repeatedly called for a responsible investigation and the disclosure of information, stating that nothing has changed even after a year has passed.

The memorial event, organized by the Bereaved Families Association of the December 29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster and civic groups, was attended by over 500 people, including bereaved family members, members of the National Assembly from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, civic group officials, and citizens. Bereaved families from the Hakdong disaster in Gwangju and the Itaewon disaster also participated to express solidarity.

The memorial began with a chorus of "March for the Beloved." Participants chanted slogans such as "Zero responsible parties punished, zero information disclosed, zero apologies," pointing out that over the past year, efforts to uncover the truth and assign responsibility have made no progress.

Kim Yujin, representative of the Bereaved Families Association, said, "It is heartbreaking that nothing has changed in the past year," and added, "The government has not held a single person accountable, nor has it disclosed even a single piece of information to the bereaved families." Kim appealed, "I want to ask why no one is taking responsibility for this disaster."

On the afternoon of the 27th, two days before the first anniversary of the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, Kim Yujin, representative of the Bereaved Families Association, delivered a greeting at the first anniversary memorial rally for Gwangju and Jeonnam held at the 5.18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim also criticized the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, saying, "For a year, they have stuck to self-investigation, responded to bereaved families' questions with silence, and hid behind international regulations when asked for materials. The investigation board failed to identify those responsible, and the police have become an institution that shifts responsibility." Kim continued, "With the investigation board set to be transferred to the Office for Government Policy Coordination, I want to ask whether there is truly a will for an independent investigation, and whether the police are prepared to investigate such a serious matter involving state responsibility."

The bereaved families emphasized, "True consolation comes from a responsible investigation," and added, "The sorrow that comes from not knowing who is responsible never fades with time." They also requested continued public interest, saying, "We hope that members of the National Assembly and local governments will not let their determination wither like a chrysanthemum in a few days, but will stand with us sincerely until the end."

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, stated, "A thorough investigation has yet to be conducted into issues such as the localizer, which, at a glance, appears to be related to the cause and responsibility for the accident. The localizer mound, which worsened the damage, is an issue that the government should promptly investigate to determine the cause and responsibility." Kim urged the passage of legislation ensuring the independence of the investigation board and the activities of a parliamentary special investigation committee, saying, "Uncovering the truth is the minimum duty owed to the victims and the only way to build a safer society."

On the afternoon of the 27th, two days before the first anniversary of the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam Province (third from the left), and Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju City (fourth from the left), among others, shouted slogans demanding a thorough investigation at the first anniversary Gwangju-Jeonnam memorial rally held at the May 18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, also said, "The investigation the bereaved families have been hoping for has made no progress, and only painful time has passed. Although a parliamentary special investigation committee is being launched and will operate for 40 days, I am concerned about how much we can expect from a parliamentary investigation without investigative authority." He added, "I hope the investigation board will deliver swift and accurate results, and Gwangju will remain in solidarity until the end."

Members of the National Assembly in attendance included Park Ji-won, Kwon Hyang-yeop, Min Hyung-bae, Ahn Do-geol, Yang Bunam, Jeon Jin-sook, Jung Joon-ho, Cho Gye-won, Cho In-cheol, Joo Cheol-hyeon, Seo Wang-jin, and Jeon Jong-deok. They bowed their heads before the bereaved families, saying, "We are deeply sorry for not having uncovered the truth so far," and signed a safety pledge containing commitments to "clarify the truth," "honor and remember the victims," "address structural issues to prevent recurrence," and "create a society where the lives and safety of the people are the highest priority."

After the memorial event, attendees and citizens laid chrysanthemums to honor the victims and reaffirmed their commitment to building a safer society.

Meanwhile, at around 9:03 a.m. on December 29 last year, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which departed from Bangkok, Thailand, exploded after colliding with a concrete mound localizer (an azimuth facility) while attempting a belly landing at Muan International Airport. Of the 181 people on board, 179 lost their lives, and only two crew members were rescued.