600 days after Jeju Air crash, victims' families decry lack of accountability

Six hundred days after the Jeju Air crash at Muan Airport, families of the victims are still grappling with a profound lack of progress and accountability. A press conference held at Muan Airport on June 21 revealed the deep anguish and frustration of the bereaved.

"Our families have not moved an inch from the reality we face; we remain trapped in deep darkness," stated the 12.29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Crash Victims' Families Council. They pointed to the discovery of over 1,740 victim remains, found scattered across the airport site and within sacks, long after the initial recovery efforts were declared nearly complete. This starkly contrasts with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's early claims of 99% recovery, which the families decry as a "terrible recovery failure."

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Our families have not moved an inch from the reality we face; we remain trapped in deep darkness.

The lack of any indictments has further fueled the families' despair. Despite investigations by the police special investigation team and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, no responsible parties have been brought to justice. The prosecution is reportedly waiting for the final results from the investigation board regarding aircraft defects and pilot error, delaying any charges. "Not a single person has been prosecuted, let alone arrested," the families stated, questioning the state's role in their ongoing tragedy.

Adding to their burden, the families are now facing resentment from local residents due to the delayed reopening of Muan Airport. They are calling on the government, the National Assembly, relevant agencies, and local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the failed recovery, hold responsible parties accountable, normalize the investigation board's work with full data disclosure, and for the state to lead funeral procedures for the newly found remains. They also demand immediate measures for victim relief and an end to the secondary victimization caused by the state's neglect.

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Not a single person has been prosecuted, let alone arrested.