Assemblywoman Jeon Jin-sook of the Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Assembly's fact-finding committee on the December 29 passenger plane disaster, pointed out that the Muan Airport localizer (directional guidance facility) and its underlying concrete mound qualify as "obstacles" under the Airport Facilities Act. She argued that failing to provide this information to airlines and pilots constitutes a violation of the Aviation Safety Act.
On January 15, Assemblywoman Jeon stated, "If the authorities were unaware that the localizer and concrete mound were obstacles, that would be a violation of the Airport Facilities Act. If they knew but failed to take action, that would constitute a violation of both the Airport Facilities Act and the Aviation Safety Act." She added, "The National Assembly's special investigation committee will thoroughly examine this matter."
According to Article 2, Clause 14 of the Airport Facilities Act, an "obstacle" refers to terrain or objects that hinder the safe operation of aircraft, and the criteria for restricting the installation of obstacles are defined as the "Obstacle Limitation Surface." The Obstacle Limitation Surface is categorized into horizontal, conical, approach, transitional, and missed approach surfaces under the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Airport Facilities Act.
Assemblywoman Jeon explained that the currently disputed localizer and concrete mound at Muan Airport are installed within the "transitional surface" area, thereby clearly qualifying as obstacles under the law. She further pointed out that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's failure to manage these as obstacles constitutes a violation of the Airport Facilities Act.
She also raised the possibility of a violation of the Aviation Safety Act. Article 228 of the Enforcement Rules of the Aviation Safety Act stipulates that preventing collisions between aircraft and obstacles within maneuvering areas (taxiways and runways) is a purpose of air traffic operations. Article 255 of the same rules requires that information on aerodrome obstacles be provided through Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP), Notices to Airmen (NOTAM), Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC), and pre- and post-flight briefings.
Assemblywoman Jeon stated, "If the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport did not classify the localizer and concrete mound as obstacles and failed to provide relevant information to airlines and pilots, this is a clear violation of the Aviation Safety Act."
She also asserted, "If information about these obstacles had been provided in advance and had been clearly marked on the Obstacle Limitation Surface Zone Map of Muan Airport, the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan Airport could have been prevented."
Assemblywoman Jeon concluded, "This issue will be thoroughly investigated by the National Assembly's special investigation committee, including legal responsibility and management practices."
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