Woo Ki-hong, President of Korean Air, "No Restructuring After Integration... Jobs Are Top Priority"

Woo Ki-hong, President of Korean Air, is answering questions from the press after the 22nd Tourism Industry Committee held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] Woo Ki-hong, CEO of Korean Air, met with the labor unions for the first time since the confirmation of the Asiana Airlines acquisition.

Korean Air announced on the 9th that CEO Woo held meetings with Choi Hyun, Chairman of the Pilots' Union, and Choi Dae-young, Chairman of the General Labor Union, respectively.

They sought to gain understanding regarding the necessity and progress of the recent Asiana Airlines acquisition and agreed to work together to build a cooperative labor-management relationship.

CEO Woo stated, "Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana Airlines is not only about the survival of Korean Air but also about protecting the survival of South Korea's aviation industry and jobs. Although the business environment is challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company will prioritize the jobs of its members and proceed with the integration process."

The joint countermeasure committee, composed of four unions from both companies including the Korean Air Pilots' Union, Korean Air Employees Solidarity Branch, Asiana Airlines Pilots' Union, and Asiana Airlines Union, had consistently opposed the acquisition since Korean Air's announcement last month.

Since the announcement of the Asiana Airlines acquisition, attention is focused on whether the company can resolve conflicts with the unions, considered the biggest obstacle during the acquisition process, as they have started dialogue not only with the General Labor Union, which expressed support, but also with the Pilots' Union, which had opposed it.

A Korean Air official said, "Korean Air labor and management have agreed to overcome the crisis based on mutual trust. In particular, both sides recognized that communication and trust between labor and management are most important, reaffirming their cooperation for new growth and development with employment stability as the top priority."

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