In a significant legal move following the tragic crash at Muan International Airport that claimed 179 lives, bereaved families accuse key officials of mishandling safety protocols and negligence.
Relatives Seek Justice: Jeju Air Crash Officials Face Criminal Charges
Relatives Seek Justice: Jeju Air Crash Officials Face Criminal Charges
Family members of Jeju Air crash victims allege negligence by aviation officials as they file a joint criminal complaint.
Following the devastating Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, which resulted in 179 fatalities at South Korea's Muan International Airport, grieving family members have initiated legal action against aviation officials. On May 14, 2025, a group of 72 relatives submitted a criminal complaint to the Jeonnam Provincial Police, asserting that negligence and breaches of South Korean law led to the catastrophic incident.
The complaint targets high-profile individuals, including Jeju Air's CEO, Kim E-bae, transport minister Park Sang-woo, and various airport operators. The families argue that the disaster stems from significant avoidable risks rather than being an incidental tragedy, as articulated in their lawyers' statement.
Investigators remain tight-lipped about the crash's official cause; however, reports highlight prior warnings to air officials regarding the threats posed by bird strikes and suggest that improvements in runway safety materials could have mitigated casualties. Family members expressed frustration over the lack of progress in addressing these safety concerns in the months following the incident.
Among the allegations are issues concerning the abrupt maneuver made by the aircraft's pilot prior to landing, concerns about engine maintenance, and failures of critical flight data systems before the crash. Despite promises from transportation authorities to enhance airport safety measures—such as the use of drones for monitoring wildlife and infrastructure upgrades—the reopening of Muan International Airport is still scheduled for July 2025.
The investigation into the accident is being conducted by South Korea’s Aviation Railroad Accident Investigation Committee alongside U.S. authorities, while the families continue to call for transparency and accountability. "Our pain and outrage have only grown with the passing months without answers," stated Kim Da-hye, a relative of one of the victims.
The complaint targets high-profile individuals, including Jeju Air's CEO, Kim E-bae, transport minister Park Sang-woo, and various airport operators. The families argue that the disaster stems from significant avoidable risks rather than being an incidental tragedy, as articulated in their lawyers' statement.
Investigators remain tight-lipped about the crash's official cause; however, reports highlight prior warnings to air officials regarding the threats posed by bird strikes and suggest that improvements in runway safety materials could have mitigated casualties. Family members expressed frustration over the lack of progress in addressing these safety concerns in the months following the incident.
Among the allegations are issues concerning the abrupt maneuver made by the aircraft's pilot prior to landing, concerns about engine maintenance, and failures of critical flight data systems before the crash. Despite promises from transportation authorities to enhance airport safety measures—such as the use of drones for monitoring wildlife and infrastructure upgrades—the reopening of Muan International Airport is still scheduled for July 2025.
The investigation into the accident is being conducted by South Korea’s Aviation Railroad Accident Investigation Committee alongside U.S. authorities, while the families continue to call for transparency and accountability. "Our pain and outrage have only grown with the passing months without answers," stated Kim Da-hye, a relative of one of the victims.
