World Business Report Families seek answers a year after the South Korean plane crash
Dec 29, 2025
Yoon Aku, a dedicated reporter covering the South Korean air crash, provides poignant insights as families continue to seek answers one year on. He discusses their demands for an independent inquiry and highlights their skepticism about the initial investigation. The conversation covers broader implications for aviation safety regulations in South Korea. Additionally, Aku touches on recent developments like Coupang's compensation for a massive data breach, reflecting ongoing concerns about corporate accountability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Institutional Trust Shapes Accident Accountability
- Families distrust the official investigation into the Boeing 737 crash because the investigating board reports to the transport ministry they suspect is partly responsible.
- Yoon Aku highlights that this institutional link deepens suspicion and fuels calls for an independent inquiry.
Bereaved Family Demands Truth
- Kim Hyun-jin lost her parents and younger brother in the crash and described the pain of unanswered questions.
- She urged survivors to ensure their loved ones' deaths were not in vain by seeking truth and accountability.
Multiple Causes, Not Just Pilot Error
- Families and experts believe pilot error explanations risk oversimplifying causes and ignoring physical factors like concrete structures near the runway.
- They argue that removing hazardous runway-end obstacles might have reduced casualties even if pilot mistakes occurred.