Families of Jeju Air Crash Victims File Criminal Charges Against Aviation Officials

In a significant legal move, relatives of the Jeju Air crash victims have lodged a criminal complaint against 15 aviation officials, citing negligence leading to the disaster at Muan International Airport. The allegations involve violations of crucial safety laws, reflecting heightened concern regarding aviation safety in South Korea.

Families of victims from the Jeju Air crash are seeking justice after the tragic incident that unfolded on December 29, 2024, claiming the lives of 179 people. Over 70 relatives have filed a joint criminal complaint against 15 officials from the government and the aviation sector to the Jeonnam Provincial Police in South Korea. The complaint points to accusations of professional negligence and violations of the Aviation Safety Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

Among those implicated in the complaint are notable figures including Jeju Air CEO, Kim E-bae, the transport minister, Park Sang-woo, and airport administrators from Muan International Airport. The grieving families assert that the incident was not merely an accident, but rather a severe civil disaster stemming from a failure to address known risks.

The complaint raises various concerns including the last-minute maneuver executed by the pilot before landing, the adequacy of engine maintenance, and the malfunction of Flight 2216's flight recorder, which stopped functioning mere minutes prior to the crash. Although official crash investigations have yet to yield a definitive cause, there are indications from various sources suggesting long-standing warnings about potential hazards, notably related to bird strikes. Reports also imply that differing construction materials for the runway's terminating wall could have mitigated the disaster’s impact.

In light of these events, family member Kim Da-hye expressed frustration, stating, “There has been no progress in the four months since the disaster...deep anger and despair” have taken root among them. In response to the calamity, both transportation authorities and airport operators have pledged comprehensive overhauls in airport safety measures and infrastructure, including adjustments to concrete navigation equipment and the increased use of drones for wildlife monitoring.

Plans are underway to reopen Muan International Airport in July, accompanying the implementation of new safety initiatives. Meanwhile, ongoing investigations by the Aviation Railroad Accident Investigation Committee, together with U.S. investigators, continue to probe the crash's underlying causes, underlining the urgent need for transparency and preventative measures in aviation safety.