In a controversial move, Chosun Ilbo has released the full list of 175 passengers on 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 nationality, all released without consent.
A repeat of past controversies
This publication echoes that Chosun IlboK’s previous criticism of the media publishing casualty lists without consent during the Itaewon tragedy in 2022. At the time, Chosun Ilbo had stressed that such actions violated the ethics of disaster reporting and had underlined the need for sensitivity in handling victims’ personal information.
THE Chosun IlboIts November 15, 2022 report condemned the publication of casualty lists without consent, citing violations of disaster reporting guidelines. These guidelines include provisions to respect the privacy and psychological well-being of victims, while avoiding unnecessary exposure of personal data.
The Muan airport disaster
Tragedy struck at 9.05am when a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok attempted an emergency landing at Muan International Airport due to mechanical problems, but tragically collided with the airport’s outer wall. The flight was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, for a total of 181 people.
As of 12:05 p.m., authorities reported 62 deaths and two survivors. However, authorities have not released any official statement regarding the identity of the deceased or survivors Chosun IlboThe decision to publish the passenger list is particularly controversial.
Violation of disaster reporting guidelines
The disaster reporting guidelines explicitly state:
• Article 11 (Information to the public): Reporting of victims, damages or causes of accidents must be based on official announcements from the responsible authorities and ensure accuracy.
• Article 18 (Protection of victims): The complaint must respect the privacy, honor and psychological stability of the victims and families.
• Article 19 (Disclosure of personal data): Disclosure of detailed personal information should be avoided due to privacy and dignity concerns.
The publication of the passenger list appears to violate these principles, sparking widespread criticism Chosun Ilbo.
Critics argue that instead of prioritizing the disclosure of personal information, the media should focus on critical issues such as rescue efforts, identifying the cause of the disaster, and evaluating government responses.
