Jo Won-tae: "The Integration of the Two Major Airlines is a Historical Mission... Let's Rebuild the Korean Aviation Industry"

"Filling Gaps and Embracing with Understanding and Empathy"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group, said on the 4th regarding the acquisition and integration of Asiana Airlines by Korean Air, which will be actively pursued this year, "The integration of the two companies means more than simply merging into one; I believe it is a destiny and a mission of the era given to the employees of both companies who are responsible for the skies of the Republic of Korea."

In his New Year's address that day, Chairman Cho stated, "I will build a new Korean aviation industry together with you." Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, his New Year's address was produced as a video and distributed via email to all employees, as well as posted on the company intranet.

First, regarding last year's business conditions, Chairman Cho said, "Although the aviation industry suffered the greatest damage due to COVID-19 last year, Korean Air achieved meaningful results thanks to all of our employees," and added, "I sincerely thank everyone who worked and dedicated themselves to make these achievements possible."

Regarding the major issue of the integration of the two companies, Chairman Cho said, "All employees of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines faced the crisis of COVID-19 with strong determination to protect our precious workplaces and the Korean aviation industry, sharing the pain and making efforts," and "although the clothes we wore and the places we stood were different, the attitude of serving customers and the heart for the country were no different among employees of both companies."

He said, "Therefore, (employees of both companies) can understand and empathize with each other better than anyone else," and urged, "I hope you fill in and embrace each other's shortcomings based on understanding and empathy."

In particular, Chairman Cho said, "I thought about two individual athletes who did not achieve their goals on the global stage being grouped into one team. At first, working together is clumsy and awkward, making it difficult, but through the process of coordinating from small things and sweating together, they open their hearts to each other and eventually win a medal," and emphasized, "This path will never be easy, but that is why I am confident it will be a more valuable and meaningful path."

In addition, Chairman Cho urged employees to support the integration process. He said, "It will be very difficult and hard, but please gather your hearts and strength. From there, our new story as one will begin."

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