Pilot Association "Lee Sang-jik, Stop Avoiding Responsibility for Eastar and Fulfill Major Shareholder Duties"

"Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Does Not Play Any Role in Essential Public Utility Site Eastar Jet... Different from Other Airlines' Cases"

Eastar Jet union members are watching the press conference of CEO Choi Jong-gu held at the headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Domestic pilot organizations have urged Lee Sang-jik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to normalize Eastar Jet.

The Korea Federation of Pilots' Unions and the Korea Civil Aviation Pilots Association issued a statement on the 1st, saying, "Although the press conference made it seem like Representative Lee was taking responsibility by donating his shares, the essence is that Lee's family withdrew during the acquisition process and shifted all responsibility onto the other party and employees."

They stated, "The cause of the Eastar Jet crisis stems not from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but from past abnormal management," adding, "All processes, including abnormal funding sources during the founding, suspicions of illegal gifting, appointing young children to executive positions, and non-transparent accounting, are typical corrupt practices."

They also criticized the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, saying, "The ministry has not played any role in Eastar Jet, which was designated as a national key industry and essential public service site," and "It is incomprehensible even when compared to the ministry's active intervention in management issues of other airlines in the past."

Furthermore, they urged, "We call for active problem-solving efforts until the unpaid wages issue of Eastar Jet colleagues is resolved and a smooth corporate acquisition is completed," and stated, "Civil aviation pilots will also actively support their colleagues to return to work as soon as possible."

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