Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae, right, answers questions during a National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee meeting on the Jeju Air crash, Tuesday. Transport Minister Park Sang-woo, left, also attended the meeting. Yonhap

The Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) has refused to disclose its design documents related to the modernization of the localizer facility at Muan International Airport, despite a formal request from lawmakers on the National Assembly's Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee.

The documents, believed to include safety assessments conducted by design firms, were withheld entirely, drawing criticism for lack of transparency.

According to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Rep. Lee Yeon-hee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea requested comprehensive design documents from the KAC regarding the localizer improvement project.

The documents contain crucial information, such as optimal installation locations and measures to ensure the localizer's breakability. The controversial mound supporting the localizer existed when the airport opened, but a concrete slab was added during last year's renovations.

The requested documents included 15 items, such as the final design report, antenna design, structural and safety assessment results, stakeholder feedback and progress reports.

However, the KAC refused to release any of the requested materials, claiming the documents were under the purview of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board. "The requested materials are being managed by the investigation board and cannot be disclosed," the KAC said in its response.

This refusal contrasts with the government's previous transparency during the investigation into the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway, in which key documents were fully disclosed.

Critics argue that withholding these documents undermines the public's right to know, especially after the black box from the Jeju Air crash was found to be missing four critical minutes of data.

Transport Minister Park Sang-woo acknowledged the need for transparency while saying that the ministry lacks authority to compel the investigation team to disclose information.

"We will work with the investigation board to ensure broader disclosure of foundational facts that do not interfere with the investigation," Park said during a committee briefing. He said that tower communication records are under review for possible release.

The investigation board, however, cited international norms and internal regulations that limit disclosure of materials that could impact investigations.

An official from the investigation board said, "According to internal regulations, information obtained during the investigation must not be disclosed if it could impact the investigation. This aligns with internationally accepted standards."

The official added, however, the board has no legal authority to enforce these regulations on the KAC.

Officials, including firefighters, recover aircraft debris at the Jeju Air crash site at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. Yonhap

Immediate replacement and repair of concrete structure

Meanwhile, the transport minister announced plans for the immediate replacement and repair of faulty localizer facilities like the one criticized for exacerbating the recent Jeju Air crash. This marks a step beyond the initial plan to complete improvements by year's end.

At the National Assembly committee meeting, he said, "To be honest, I don't believe it's appropriate for such facilities to be located near safety zones."

A recent inspection of navigation safety facilities at airports across the country identified nine localizer systems at seven airports requiring upgrades. Notably, Yeosu, Gwangju and Pohang-Gyeongju airports were found to have structures similar to the mound at Muan International Airport.

Park emphasized the urgency of the situation. "Emergency inspections revealed that similar issues exist not only at Yeosu but also at seven other locations, including Pohang," he said. "We will begin immediate improvement work to address these issues as quickly as possible."

The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers, crashed at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, leaving only two survivors.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.