Chairman Cho Won-tae Plans to Board Charter Flight to Wuhan

Amid Management Disputes... Internal and External Opinion Formation Intensifies, Analysis Included

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group, is pushing to board a charter flight dispatched for Korean residents staying in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While some cabin crew members have volunteered to board the Wuhan-bound charter flight in response to the emergency situation caused by the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), the CEO intends to show a responsible stance by joining them. Some analysts suggest that Chairman Cho, who is undergoing a management rights dispute, is actively working to shape public opinion both inside and outside the company.

According to Hanjin Group on the 30th, Korean Air is in discussions with relevant authorities about the possibility of Chairman Cho accompanying the Wuhan-bound charter flight scheduled to depart from Incheon International Airport as early as today. The government previously decided to arrange a charter flight to repatriate about 700 Korean nationals stranded in Wuhan due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Korean Air plans to deploy medium to large aircraft such as the B747-400 (about 400 seats) and A330-300 (about 270 seats) for this charter flight.

The industry explains that Chairman Cho’s push to board the Wuhan-bound charter flight largely aims to soothe the anxiety of frontline workers dealing with the novel coronavirus situation. Since confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have continued to emerge since the 20th, voices from employees inside and outside the company demanding safety and infection prevention measures have surfaced. Amid this, some Korean Air labor union officials have volunteered to work on this charter flight repatriating Korean residents from Wuhan.

A Hanjin Group official said, "Since the novel coronavirus began to spread in earnest, frontline workers such as flight and cabin crew have experienced considerable anxiety," adding, "With labor union officials volunteering to board the Wuhan-bound charter flight, this reflects the management’s intention to directly ensure the safety of employees and passengers."

Within the industry, there is also an interpretation that Chairman Cho, who has entered a management rights dispute phase with his older sister Cho Hyun-ah, former Korean Air Vice President, is working to shape internal and external public opinion. Chairman Cho is currently engaged in a fierce share competition with former Vice President Cho, private equity fund KCGI, and Bando Construction over the reappointment of his position as an inside director of the holding company Hanjin KAL in March. Internally, he needs the support of executives and employees, and externally, the backing of minority and other shareholders.

Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether Chairman Cho will actually board the Wuhan-bound charter flight due to delays in obtaining flight permission from Chinese authorities. A Korean Air official said, "At this point, it is not confirmed whether he will board," adding, "We need to wait and see the progress of flight permission from Chinese authorities and consultations with our related agencies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.