Jeju Air Crash Victims' Families Protest Interim Probe Results, Demand Independent Investigation in Seoul

Jeju Air Crash Families Protest Interim Probe, Demand Independent Investigation

Bereaved families of the 179 victims from the devastating December 2024 Jeju Air plane crash gathered in central Seoul on Monday, staging a powerful protest against the preliminary findings of the accident investigation. The families voiced profound skepticism regarding the credibility of the government's interim probe results, adamantly calling for an impartial, independent body to take over the inquiry.

Skepticism Over Transparency and Impartiality

The protest unfolded near the presidential office, ahead of a two-day hearing scheduled to commence on Thursday. This hearing, overseen by an investigation committee under the transport ministry, aims to unveil the interim conclusions of the fatal accident that occurred on December 29 last year at Muan International Airport.

Demonstrators, organized by a group representing the victims' families alongside various civic organizations, accused the transport ministry's committee of a lack of transparency. Kim Yoo-jin, who leads the bereaved families' group, stated, "The transport ministry has effectively obscured information and presented this disaster as being competently managed through a 'self-investigation' and 'black-out investigation' conducted by its committee."

Calls for Independent Inquiry and Hearing Postponement

A poignant moment during the protest saw five individuals shave their heads as a symbolic act of defiance and despair. The families argue that the current probe is inherently untrustworthy because the committee operates under the transport ministry, the very governmental body responsible for aviation policy. They have demanded the immediate postponement of the upcoming hearing and the transfer of the investigation to an autonomous body directly accountable to the prime minister.

Clashes with Police and Ongoing Rallies

Later in the day, tensions escalated as some participants attempted to enter the presidential office, seeking an audience with President Lee Jae Myung, leading to clashes with police. The determined families have declared their intention to continue their demonstration with overnight rallies outside the presidential office until Wednesday, maintaining pressure for a truly independent and transparent investigation into the tragic loss of their loved ones.