Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said he would consider suspending the work of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board in connection with the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred at Muan Airport on Dec. 29 last year.
On the 4th, marking the Chuseok holiday, Minister Kim said this after paying respects at the memorial altar for the disaster victims set up in the first-floor concourse of Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla, and meeting with bereaved families. After hearing the bereaved families say they could not trust the board's investigation, Minister Kim said, "If the entire group of bereaved families requests that the board suspend its investigation activities, I will review the relevant laws and regulations," and added, "I will also examine whether any administrative measures are possible."
Regarding criticism that the board is arbitrarily withholding information that must be disclosed under international rules, Minister Kim said, "Based on international regulations (ICAO), I will meet the board to hear directly whether disclosure is possible and make a judgment."
He added, "If the board's position is not reasonable, we will have the information disclosed, but if it is reasonable, I will come back and explain why."
Regarding discussions to reorganize the board and transfer it to the prime minister's office, he said, "If (after discussions in the National Assembly) the board is sent back down to the Land Ministry, I will step down as minister," adding, "It may be a bit delayed, but the board must be moved to the prime minister's office and staffed with experts so it can function as a proper accident investigation board."
After the meeting, the bereaved families visited the roadside near the hangar where the crashed plane's tail fin is kept with Minister Kim and pointed out that evidence was being left unattended.
The Council of Bereaved Families of the Dec. 29 Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster later issued a statement saying, "The Minister must immediately fulfill the promises made in front of the bereaved families," and, "Provide specific and sincere answers to the bereaved families' demands, and as soon as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's responsibility is confirmed, offer a genuine apology and prepare measures to prevent a recurrence."
They added, "On a holiday when families should be happiest in each other's arms, please remember our blood-choked longing and cries as we cannot leave the site of the accident where we lost our families," and appealed, "Fulfill the state's minimum duty to protect the people's lives and safety."