Jeju Air Disaster Reinvestigation Canceled Due to Ban on Filming by Bereaved Families

On the 14th, the Families' Council of the December 29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster is confronting the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board. Photo by Families' Council of the December 29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster

The reinvestigation of the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster was suspended due to opposition from the families present, following a ban on filming during the proceedings.

According to the Families' Council of the December 29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster on the 14th, the reinvestigation began that morning at Muan International Airport, with participation from the National Forensic Service and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board.

The plan was to examine the wreckage of the plane at the accident site and, if any personal belongings or human remains were found, to conduct DNA analysis.

When about 20 family members present at the scene for observation began filming the investigation process, investigators from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board stopped them from recording.

In response, the families strongly protested, leading to a standoff that lasted about two hours, and it was ultimately decided not to proceed with the scheduled reinvestigation procedures for the day.

Later, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board proposed to allow filming but to restrict close-up shots. However, the families objected, calling it an "inconsistent measure."

Kim Yujin, head of the Families' Council, stated, "It was unacceptable that the wreckage was left unattended for 11 months, and now the families are being restricted from filming the investigation," adding, "We plan to reschedule the reinvestigation after further discussions."

Previously, the families had expressed distrust in the investigation methods of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board and had requested a reinvestigation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.