Dismissal-Pushed Incheon Airport President "Suddenly Told to Leave, Bewildered... Speechless"

"Proposed an Honorable Resignation, but the Response Was NO"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Koo Bon-hwan, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, expressed on the 16th that he finds it difficult to accept the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's push for his dismissal. Regarding the actual reasons for the dismissal efforts, President Koo said, "I have nothing to say (有口無言, having a mouth but no words to speak)."

On the afternoon of the same day, President Koo held a press conference at the corporation's main conference room in Jung-gu, Incheon, stating, "The issues audited by the Ministry of Land have already been clarified or are not grounds for dismissal."

Regarding the background of the dismissal proposal, President Koo said, "Earlier this month, during a meal with a senior official from the Ministry, I was suddenly asked to voluntarily resign, and was told that if I did not resign, they would recommend my dismissal. I proposed a compromise plan to resolve remaining tasks such as the direct employment of non-regular workers by the first half of next year and then step down, but it was rejected (No), which led to the current situation."

President Koo emphasized again that the Ministry of Land's audit cited reasons such as ▲ poor response to the typhoon during the National Assembly audit and false reporting of whereabouts ▲ violation of duty of loyalty including undermining fairness in personnel management, but he stated, "These are not matters warranting dismissal."

Regarding allegations of illegal use of corporate credit cards during Typhoon Mitag, the 18th typhoon last year, sufficient explanations have already been provided, and the suspension of corporation employees was a managerial decision made by the CEO of a public enterprise following proper procedures through the personnel committee. He pointed out, "Applying such standards makes one doubt whether CEOs of public enterprises can practice responsible management."

President Koo also expressed disappointment, saying, "At the announcement of the regularization of non-regular workers at the end of June, I was injured due to an intrusion by union members and received outpatient treatment for three months. Despite working hard, I never even received encouragement. Suddenly being told to leave is bewildering."

Regarding the reason for holding the press conference under these circumstances, President Koo said, "That is the will of the appointing authority, so I leave it to (the reporters') speculation and imagination. However, I want to express my strong dissatisfaction with the urgency and lack of choice in pushing for dismissal in this manner."

When asked if he would fight a lawsuit if the dismissal decision is made by the Public Institution Management Committee, President Koo responded, "As someone who has served in public office for 30 years, I believe that pushing for dismissal over this matter is not appropriate. The current situation is the worst possible option."

Meanwhile, inside and outside the airport, there are also criticisms that this dismissal push is essentially a case of "throwing away the dog after the hunt" related to the Incheon International Airport Corporation incident (the issue of direct employment and regularization of non-regular security screening workers).

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