Home > National > Social Affairs

Jeju Air crash victims' families find what appear to be human remains

Published: 15 Mar. 2026, 19:43

Rescuers work near the wreckage of the Jeju Air aircraft that went off the runway and crashed at Muan International Airport, in Muan, South Jeolla, on Dec. 30, 2024. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

MUAN, South Jeolla — Family members of victims from the Jeju Air passenger plane crash found more than 10 items believed to be human remains near the crash site in Muan, South Jeolla, the families’ association of victims said on Sunday.

The crash refers to the incident on Dec. 29, 2024, involving a Jeju Air passenger plane at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla that killed 179 people.

“We found the suspected remains while patrolling outside an airport wall that collapsed during the crash,” the families’ association of victims said.

The group asked the forensic unit of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency to conduct an examination.

The remains were found near the spot where the plane crashed into a mound at the end of the runway and exploded before hitting an airport wall. Family members also reported more pieces of the plane in the area.

Lee Jeong-geun. a bereaved family member, first discovered the objects around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday while inspecting the area outside the airport fence near the crash site. He notified representatives of the victims’ families after spotting what appeared to be fragments of human bone.

Family members believe the objects may belong to victims whose remains rescuers did not recover during the initial response. DNA analysis will determine whether the remains match those of victims from the crash.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board and the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency forensic unit currently conduct joint follow-up searches at the crash site twice a week.

Firefighters conduct search operations at the wreckage site of the Jeju Air aircraft at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla, on Dec. 30, 2024. [EPA/YONHAP]

Investigators have recovered 64 additional items believed to be human remains during a reexamination that began on Feb. 12, excluding those discovered Sunday. Authorities confirmed that nine of the items belong to seven victims.

Officials also found thousands of personal items such as watches, ID cards and bags, which they grouped into 707 bundles. Investigators also found five more cellphones belonging to victims.

President Lee Jae Myung ordered strict accountability after more remains and personal items were found at a crash site that authorities had earlier said was fully cleared.

“Investigate thoroughly why the recovery of remains did not proceed properly and why debris remained at the site for more than a year,” Lee said.

Families of the victims welcomed the order but called for a stronger investigation.

“The president personally promised to hold those responsible accountable and make sure all remains are properly recovered,” the families’ association of victims said. “We hope this new investigation will not just be a formality but will help reveal what really happened.”

The group also called for accountability from the head of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, accusing the official of neglecting and damaging victims’ remains during the initial response.

Families also demanded an investigation into whether the installation of the runway embankment, known as a localizer, violated regulations. They also asked authorities to present detailed plans to recover any remains still unaccounted for and to develop measures to honor the victims.

A special police investigation team examining the cause of the crash and the adequacy of the government’s response, meanwhile, searched the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Friday to secure related materials.

The raid came a day after the president ordered strict accountability.

Investigators later met with families at Muan International Airport and explained the progress of the investigation.

“We will share updates on the investigation as needed and move quickly with searches and questioning of suspects,” said Jeong Seong-hak, head of the special investigation team.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HWANG HEE-GYU [[email protected]]