Amidst growing frustration over the investigation's pace, 72 family members of the 179 victims from the December 29 crash have lodged a complaint against 15 individuals, including top officials in South Korea’s transport sector and Jeju Air's CEO, Kim E-bae. This grave incident, which resulted in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 people onboard, is described by the bereaved families as a catastrophic civil disaster stemming from preventable risks.
Nearly five months after the aircraft—a Boeing 737-800—crashed at Muan International Airport, families continue to seek answers amidst concerns that the authorities seem stalled in their investigations. Kim Da-hye, one of the grieving family members, criticized the slow progress, expressing their profound anger and a commitment to uncovering the truth behind the disaster.
The complaint alleges failures at multiple levels of airline and airport operations, raising critical questions about air traffic control responses and compliance with safety regulations related to the runway's construction. Just prior to the crash, the plane reportedly struck a bird and declared a mayday, leading to a belly landing without landing gear, and ultimately a fire that destroyed the aircraft upon collision with a concrete structure.
While investigators have identified bird feathers within the engine, no conclusive findings have linked the bird strike to the crash's cause, leaving the families distraught. Adding to their pain, some have faced online harassment, with unfounded conspiracy theories circulating about their motivations and experiences. Authorities have already apprehended several individuals for spreading these malicious posts.
As the families of the victims navigate through grief and anger, they are determined to seek accountability and make sure that such a tragedy will not be repeated in the future.
