Seoul: A group of family members of victims of last year's deadly Jeju Air plane crash shaved their heads Monday in protest over the government's interim probe results of the tragedy, raising questions about the credibility of the probe and calling for an independent investigation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an investigation committee under the transport ministry is scheduled to hold a two-day hearing from Thursday to announce the interim results of the fatal accident on Dec. 29 last year at Muan International Airport that claimed 179 lives. A group representing the victims' family members and other civic groups staged the protest outside the presidential office compound in central Seoul, accusing the committee of not being transparent.

Kim Yoo-jin, who heads the group of bereaved family members, stated that the transport ministry has presented the disaster as being well-managed and has blocked information through what is described as a "self-investigation" and a "black-out investigation" with the committee. The group is demanding that the investigation be conducted by an independent body under the prime minister and for the hearing's postponement, arguing that the current probe cannot be trusted as the committee is part of the transport ministry, which is responsible for aviation policy.

During the protest, five people shaved their heads, and some participants later clashed with police as they attempted to enter the presidential office to meet President Lee Jae Myung. The group has announced plans to stage overnight rallies outside the presidential office through Wednesday.