The families of victims killed in last December’s Jeju Air crash have filed a formal criminal complaint against 15 individuals, including the airline’s CEO Kim E-bae and South Korea’s transport minister. The group of 72 relatives is demanding a more rigorous investigation, accusing authorities and airline officials of professional negligence that led to what they call a preventable tragedy.

The crash, which occurred on December 29, claimed the lives of 179 out of 181 passengers and crew, making it the deadliest plane crash in South Korean history. The Boeing 737-800 had departed from Bangkok and was en route to Muan International Airport when it crash-landed and exploded after an attempted emergency landing.

Relatives argue the crash was not merely an accident, but a "major civic disaster" stemming from a systemic failure in risk management. They are calling for accountability from various parties, including government and airport officials responsible for construction oversight, facility management, air traffic control, and bird control.

Kim Da-hye, who lost a family member in the crash, expressed frustration over what he described as a stagnant investigation. “We are filled with deep anger and despair,” he said. “By filing this complaint, we are taking a necessary step toward truth and justice.”

Authorities had already launched a criminal investigation earlier this year and imposed a travel ban on Jeju Air’s CEO. However, nearly five months after the incident, no indictments have been made, and the precise cause of the crash remains under review.

The crash sequence began when the pilots reported a bird strike shortly after contacting Muan airport. They declared a mayday and attempted to land from the opposite direction. The aircraft landed without its landing gear deployed, overran the runway, collided with a concrete barrier, and burst into flames. Investigators later found bird feathers in both engines but have not determined the bird strike’s exact role in the crash.

Adding to the trauma, families of the victims have faced waves of online harassment, including baseless conspiracy theories and offensive jokes. Some posts accused them of faking grief or seeking compensation. As of March, eight individuals have been arrested for spreading such defamatory content.

The newly filed complaint is expected to intensify scrutiny on both Jeju Air and South Korean aviation regulators, as families vow to keep pushing for justice.