Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport resigned as chairman of accident investigation due to controversy over 'self-investigation'... "Building in accordance with localizer regulations."

[Anchor]
The chairman of the accident investigation committee resigned in the wake of the so-called "self-investigation" controversy over the aviation railroad accident investigation committee under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport over the investigation into the cause of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has also provided an explanation for the localizer blunt force at Muan International Airport, which is blamed for the disaster.

I'm connecting with the reporter. Reporter Choi Doo-hee, first of all, please tell us that Jang Man-hee, chairman of the investigation committee, has resigned.

[Reporter]
Yes. As the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which is in charge of overall airport safety, has launched a "self-investigation," some have raised concerns that a fair and objective investigation will be difficult.

In this regard, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo held a briefing at the Sejong Government Complex this afternoon (7th) and said Jang Man-hee, former head of the Air Transport Division of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, expressed his intention to resign.

Let's listen to the relevant information first.

[Park Sang-woo / Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: The chairman of the Accident Investigation Committee, who raised questions regarding the fairness of the investigation, expressed his intention to resign as of today, and excluded the standing member, the chief of the aviation policy office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, from the committee's duties, including the accident investigation]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also explained to the Accident Investigation Committee that direct participation is limited in consideration of current laws and overseas cases, but that it will fully share the investigation process with the bereaved families.

At the same time, Minister Park said, "I feel a heavy responsibility for the disaster and intend to take appropriate actions," and expressed his intention to resign as minister.

Minister Park said, "I think it is right for the minister in charge to resign after resigning from his position for such an accident," but added that he would resign considering the settlement of the disaster and the political situation.

[Anchor]
However, as for the local riser concrete hill at Muan Airport, which is blamed for the disaster, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said that it was built in accordance with the regulations?

[Reporter]
Yes. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained three issues in relation to the Muan Airport azimuth facility, that is, the location, material and shape of the dundeok, and the conflict between construction regulations and operation regulations.

The longitudinal safety zone refers to an area established after the end of the landing zone to reduce aircraft damage when the aircraft fails to stop in time after landing and passes the end of the runway.

In the case of Muan Airport, the localizer was built in accordance with the regulations, as the longitudinal safety zone was 199m to the localizer, and the mandatory 90m or more was secured in accordance with Article 21 of the "Standards for Installing Airport, Airfield Facilities and Take-off and Landing Sites."

In response to the criticism that it is not appropriate for local risers to be installed on concrete tops on stucco, he explained that there are no separate regulations such as materials for facilities located outside the longitudinal safety zone after reviewing domestic and foreign regulations.

As a result, it is difficult to interpret localizers as contrary to the current domestic and foreign regulations.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport acknowledged that it was insufficient that it should have been reviewed to ensure safety as much as possible regardless of whether the regulations were violated.

In response to the criticism that the construction and operating standards of local risers conflict, he explained that the operating standards were applied since 2010, so local risers installed when Muan Airport opened in 2007 do not apply.

Pointing out that airport facilities should have been improved to meet the standards as much as possible in the process of operating and managing airports since 2010, he added that he would quickly review the direction of securing safety.

However, as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the final supervisor of management, and the fact that the localizer bluntness has increased the damage continues to be raised, the appropriateness of the localizer installation is expected to be further revealed during the future investigation.

At the same time, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained that the disaster suffered a bird collision at the time of the accident.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's investigation committee said feathers were found in the engine.

This is the first time the government has officially confirmed the occurrence of a bird collision.

This has been YTN's Choi Doohee.