KMH Shilla Leisure Begins Employment Succession Contract with Sky72 Workers... Ending 'Job Insecurity' Controversy

Proposed 5% Salary Increase Compared to Previous Year
Promise of Caddy Employment Security and Livelihood Support

Sky72 Golf Club Haneul Course Hole 18 Overview

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] KMH Shilla Leisure Co., Ltd., the new operator of Sky72 Golf Course on Yeongjongdo Island, Incheon, has begun procedures to transfer employment of all golf course staff under conditions reflecting a 5% salary increase compared to their current annual wages.

On the 1st, KMH Shilla Leisure published a 'Sky72 Employee Employment Transfer Contract Notice' in a daily newspaper in the Incheon area.

Through the announcement, KMH Shilla Leisure stated that it will transfer 100% employment of Sky72 employees and Gyeonggi-do assistants (caddies), and especially for caddies, it guarantees employment and offers the option for those who wish to be reassigned to other golf courses operated by the company.

Previously, KMH Shilla Leisure had submitted an 'Employment Transfer Commitment Letter' during the public competitive bidding for Sky72 Golf Course held in September last year and has repeatedly clarified its stance on employment transfer since then.

However, as concerns about employment insecurity among golf course workers have been continuously raised, despite the fact that facilities and equipment have not yet been transferred, the company decided to prioritize signing preliminary employment contracts with the workers starting April 1.

The employment transfer process will proceed individually once all employees working at Sky72 Golf Course and service providers such as caddies submit simple personal information via email to KMH Shilla Leisure.

KMH Shilla Leisure expects that the concerns about employment insecurity, which were used as leverage by the previous operator of Sky72 Golf Course who refused to hand over the golf course, will be completely resolved through this legally binding employment transfer contract.

Park Hyungsik, CEO of KMH Shilla Leisure, said, "It is only natural to transfer existing employees in golf course operations, and in the case of caddies, we will provide satisfactory working conditions based on our extensive golf course management experience."

He added, "Even if Incheon International Airport Corporation opens part of the golf course free of charge, we plan to offer reassignment to our affiliated golf courses during that period or provide partial caddy support funds if reassignment is not possible," showing a willingness to endure sacrifices to protect the livelihoods of employees as well as ensure employment transfer.

Currently, the KMH Group owns three golf courses: Paju CC, Shilla CC, and Tejeve CC, and is managing Paganica CC under consignment.

The Sky72 operator, who has been operating the golf course since leasing the land from Incheon International Airport Corporation in July 2002, had its contract expire on December 31 last year but is currently engaged in legal disputes with the corporation over unauthorized occupation, claiming ownership of golf course facilities and reimbursement for improvements.

Incheon International Airport Corporation emphasized, "The renewal rights, claims for purchase of structures, and reimbursement claims for improvements that Sky72 cites as grounds for unauthorized occupation are not found in the contract between the parties and have not been recognized by the courts. Considering this, immediate contract compliance by Sky72 is the best solution to this situation."

They also pointed out, "If Sky72 smoothly hands over the facilities to the successor operator as stipulated in the implementation agreement, the current employment insecurity experienced by workers will also be resolved."

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