The individuals responsible for failing to prevent the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster last December have become subject to criminal prosecution.
On the 21st, the Jeju Air passenger plane accident investigation unit of the Jeonnam Police Agency stated that they have placed 15 individuals under investigation for professional negligence leading to death, including officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and employees of Korea Airports Corporation, as well as related personnel from defense angle facility companies.
Including the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the CEO of Jeju Air, and the CEO of Korea Airports Corporation, who were placed under investigation as defendants due to a complaint from the bereaved families, a total of 24 individuals (excluding duplicates) have become subjects of the investigation.
They are individuals involved in air traffic control, bird prevention work, and construction related to defense angle facilities, and they are suspected of failing to fulfill their duty of care in their respective positions. In particular, the installation of a defense angle facility embankment in the form of a concrete structure at the end of the runway is deemed a serious violation.
Additionally, the personnel responsible for air traffic control were found not to have adequately observed the movements and flight paths of birds or informed the captain. According to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport guidelines, if a flock of birds is observed, the air traffic controller is required to provide the captain with information about its size and direction of movement at least 15 minutes in advance.
Evidence has also emerged that the personnel in charge of bird extermination did not conduct adequate preventive work.
The police plan to review whether to apply for arrest warrants considering the seriousness of the negligence liability. They are also expected to review the possibility of additional investigations based on the appraisal results of the defense angle facilities and the examination of the engines.