A group of bereaved families from last December's Jeju Air crash has formally filed a complaint against multiple government and airline officials for negligence, seeking answers and accountability for the disaster that claimed 179 lives.
Families of Jeju Air Crash Victims Take Action Against Airline Leadership
Families of Jeju Air Crash Victims Take Action Against Airline Leadership
Families of deceased passengers accuse airline executive and officials of negligence in tragic crash.
In a significant step towards accountability, 72 families of victims from the tragic Jeju Air plane crash last December have lodged a criminal complaint against 15 individuals, including the CEO of Jeju Air and South Korea’s transport minister. The complaint accuses these officials of professional negligence linked to the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 passengers aboard—the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korean history.
The complaints come nearly five months after the catastrophic event, wherein the Boeing 737-800 was forced to belly-land at Muan International Airport due to landing gear failure, ultimately overran the runway and igniting into flames. Relatives argue that the crash was not merely an accident but rather a "major civic disaster resulting from mismanagement of preventable risks."
Despite prior criminal investigations being initiated by police, no formal indictments have been made against those involved. Frustrated by the slow progress, Kim Da-hye, a representative of the bereaved families, spoke out against the stagnation of the investigation: "We are filled with deep anger and despair. This complaint is an extraordinary measure, and we will relentlessly pursue the truth."
The families' complaint also questions the effectiveness of air traffic control during the incident, as well as potential violations of regulations regarding runway reinforcement and bird control. Prior investigative efforts had identified bird feathers within the aircraft's engines, but the precise impact of the presumed bird strike remains undetermined.
Furthermore, the families have faced a barrage of online hatred since the accident, including unfounded conspiracy theories and malicious theories about their motivations for seeking legal redress. Authorities have since arrested several individuals for making harmful online posts. As investigations continue, these families remain steadfast in their quest for justice in the wake of this national tragedy.
