Seventy-two grieving relatives of South Korea’s deadliest plane crash have sued. They filed a criminal complaint with the Jeju District Prosecutor’s Office against Jeju Air’s CEO and other executives and senior officials. The entirety of our complaint goes well beyond the awful disaster at Muan International Airport. This tragic accident killed all but 2 of the 181 passengers and crew on board.
In their lawsuit, the families raise serious questions about air traffic control’s response in the crucial minutes leading up to the crash. Pilots had only five minutes to declare a mayday signal after hitting a bird. Later investigation confirmed the incident by identifying the same type of bird feathers in both engines of the aircraft. Yet how much this specific bird strike played a role in the accident still isn’t clear.
Moreover, the complaint documents significant violations of federal law prohibiting construction at the airport. Specifically, it questions whether the reinforcement of a mound at the end of the runway played a role in the crash. The complaint names 15 of these individuals. These are government officials, airline executives, and technical staff responsible for the construction and management of airports and people responsible for bird control programs and operations.
Kim Da-hye, who spoke on behalf of the bereaved families, shouted in anger. If so, she imagines the still-ongoing investigations are not moving fast enough. Since the crash, the victims’ relatives have urged authorities to conduct a more extensive investigation into what led up to the crash.
“We are filled with deep anger and despair. Having taken this extraordinary measure of filing a criminal complaint, we will not give up and will continue to pursue the truth,” – Mr. Kim
In addition to holding powerful people accountable, authorities in their pursuit of justice have already arrested eight people this year. These individuals subsequently published hateful and defamatory comments online defaming plaintiff in connection with the crash. The bereaved families remain determined to see justice served. They will pursue to hold accountable all those who are responsible for the tragedy that has hurt so badly their nation of Korea.