A bill to transfer the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to the Prime Minister's Office passed a subcommittee of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on Friday.
The partial amendment to the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Act passed the committee's transportation legislation subcommittee with bipartisan agreement.
The amendment centers on converting ARAIB from an organization under the transport ministry to an independent investigative body under the Prime Minister. To ensure a swift investigation, the law will take effect one month after promulgation, with provisions to immediately terminate the terms of current standing and non-standing board members upon implementation.
ARAIB has faced criticism that its structural position under the ministry's supervision makes it difficult to ensure neutrality and independence in investigations. Bereaved families of the December 29 Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport have criticized the current arrangement as a "self-investigation," noting that the ministry itself installed the localizer at the airport that has been identified as a factor in worsening the disaster's toll.
The amendment is expected to be brought before the full Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee later this month.
Separately, the subcommittee also reviewed the "Personal Mobility Safety and Management Act" containing safety regulations for electric kickboards and other personal mobility devices, but failed to reach agreement. Ruling and opposition parties are considering holding a public hearing at the transportation subcommittee on January 15 to gather opinions from industry stakeholders.
