Chosun Ilbo Faces Backlash for Publishing Full Passenger List of Muan Airport Crash
In a controversial move, Chosun Ilbo published the full list of 175 passengers from the Jeju Air flight involved in the Muan Airport disaster, raising ethical and legal concerns. The list included details such as seat numbers, names in English, gender, dates of birth, and nationalities—all released without consent.
A Repeat of Past Controversies
This publication echoes Chosun Ilbo‘s previous criticism of media outlets that released victim lists without consent during the Itaewon tragedy in 2022. At the time, Chosun Ilbo had pointed out that such actions violated disaster reporting ethics and emphasized the need for sensitivity in handling victims’ personal information.
The Chosun Ilbo‘s own report from November 15, 2022, condemned the release of victim lists without consent, citing violations of disaster reporting guidelines. These guidelines include provisions to respect victims’ privacy and psychological well-being while avoiding unnecessary exposure of personal details.
The Muan Airport Disaster
The tragedy occurred at 9:05 AM when a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok attempted an emergency belly landing at Muan International Airport due to mechanical issues but tragically collided with the airport’s outer wall. The flight carried 175 passengers and six crew members, totaling 181 people.
As of 12:05 PM, authorities reported 62 fatalities and two survivors. However, no official statements regarding the identities of the deceased or survivors had been released by authorities, making Chosun Ilbo’s decision to publish the passenger list particularly contentious.
Violation of Disaster Reporting Guidelines
The disaster reporting guidelines explicitly state:
• Article 11 (Public Information): Reporting on victims, damage, or accident causes must rely on official announcements by responsible authorities and ensure accuracy.
• Article 18 (Victim Protection): Reporting must respect victims’ and families’ privacy, honor, and psychological stability.
• Article 19 (Personal Information Disclosure): Disclosure of detailed personal information should be avoided due to concerns over privacy and dignity.
The publication of the passenger list appears to breach these principles, prompting widespread criticism of Chosun Ilbo.
Critics argue that, instead of prioritizing the release of personal information, media should focus on critical issues such as rescue efforts, identifying the cause of the disaster, and assessing government responses.
