Hanjin "Current Management Unrelated to Rebate Allegations... Considering Civil and Criminal Measures"

"Requested Fact-Checking from French Airbus... Internal Audit Also Planned"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Hanjin Group has reiterated that the so-called 'Airbus rebate bribery suspicion' is unrelated to the current management. Furthermore, the group has announced plans for legal action, signaling a strong response.

On the 10th, Hanjin Group stated, "We once again emphasize that Chairman Cho Won-tae and the current management have no involvement in the Airbus rebate suspicion." The group added, "We have recently requested confirmation from Airbus in France and others to verify past facts," and "an internal audit will also be conducted separately."

Hanjin Group continued, "We will explain to shareholders as soon as the facts are confirmed, and if any illegal activities are identified, we will take all legal measures to protect the company's interests."

The group also declared, "We will not tolerate actions that unjustly damage the reputation of the current management and negatively affect the company's value," and "we plan to pursue civil and criminal measures."

Meanwhile, the shareholder coalition for the normalization of Hanjin Group, composed of Hanjin Group and former Korean Air Vice President Cho Hyun-ah, has been engaged in a war of nerves over the Airbus rebate suspicion.

This issue was brought to public attention by Assemblyman Chae Yi-bae of the Minsheng Party during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 4th. It centers on allegations that Korean Air promised rebates during the acquisition of A330 aircraft from Airbus between 1996 and 2000, and that a total of $14.5 million was delivered to senior executives between 2010 and 2013.

The shareholder coalition has questioned, "Is it plausible that the specific execution process of receiving rebates was carried out without CEO Cho Won-tae's knowledge?" Meanwhile, Hanjin Group has rebutted, stating, "The period when the rebate suspicion arose was between 1996 and 2000, and Chairman Cho, who joined in 2003, has no knowledge of this matter."

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