South Korean officials unexpectedly pulled back from releasing an interim report detailing initial findings from the December 29th airline tragedy that claimed the lives of 179 passengers and crew aboard a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800. The decision came after a highly charged news conference held on Saturday, during which bereaved families voiced their discontent regarding what they described as a premature appraisal of blame towards both the airline pilots and an unfortunate incident involving birds.
Affected families had previously been briefed privately about the investigation's latest developments, where officials indicated that engine malfunctions had not been determined as a cause for the crash. Instead, the report suggested that birds, which reportedly struck the plane shortly before the emergency landing was attempted, had played a role in the disaster, along with potential misjudgments made by the flight crew.
Pillkyu Hwang, a lawyer representing the victims' families, articulated his clients' frustrations at the Muan International Airport conference. "The families have not received an adequate explanation," he said, criticising the investigation's framing as potentially drawing premature conclusions that might mislead public perception before the investigation's completion.
The families further expressed concern that the report might insinuate that final determinations on the crash had already been made, stirring fears that media coverage could misrepresent the ongoing investigation. As the community continues to seek answers regarding the tragedy, the retraction highlights the delicate balance between transparency and sensitivity in the ongoing investigation's process.
Affected families had previously been briefed privately about the investigation's latest developments, where officials indicated that engine malfunctions had not been determined as a cause for the crash. Instead, the report suggested that birds, which reportedly struck the plane shortly before the emergency landing was attempted, had played a role in the disaster, along with potential misjudgments made by the flight crew.
Pillkyu Hwang, a lawyer representing the victims' families, articulated his clients' frustrations at the Muan International Airport conference. "The families have not received an adequate explanation," he said, criticising the investigation's framing as potentially drawing premature conclusions that might mislead public perception before the investigation's completion.
The families further expressed concern that the report might insinuate that final determinations on the crash had already been made, stirring fears that media coverage could misrepresent the ongoing investigation. As the community continues to seek answers regarding the tragedy, the retraction highlights the delicate balance between transparency and sensitivity in the ongoing investigation's process.
