The National Assembly special committee to investigate the truth and provide relief for victims of the "12·29 Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster" ended its activities on the 30th. The bereaved families said they expect the "special committee for a parliamentary investigation," which is scheduled to operate for 40 days, to make up for shortcomings such as truth-finding.
The council of bereaved families of the 12·29 Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster stated accordingly in a statement the same day. The council said that while the National Assembly special committee achieved results such as being granted the authority to review bills and enacting, four months after the disaster, the "special act on relief and support for victims of the 12·29 passenger plane disaster," its truth-finding activities fell short of expectations. Among the special committee's total of 14 meetings, the "subcommittee on truth-finding and prevention of recurrence" was held only once.
The council said, "The special committee for a parliamentary investigation must do its best in the remaining period to collect information and materials, and thoroughly prepare on-site inspections and hearings to meet the expectations of the bereaved families."
The council also called for expediting a plenary vote of the National Assembly so that the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport can be transferred to the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and demanded promotion of an amendment to the special act that specifies the rights and methods for bereaved families to participate in truth-finding.
The council said, "At the first-anniversary memorial service held the previous day, President Lee Jae-myung promised in his eulogy to strengthen the independence and expertise of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board and to do his best to determine the cause of the disaster, and we will watch with trust."
It added, "For the bereaved families, truth-finding is the only healing, the consolation, and the true memorial," and said, "During the memorial period, together with citizens across the country who joined their hearts, we will surely open the door to the truth."