Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group, "Korean Air, the First Year Toward Becoming a Global Mega Carrier"

"Beyond Physical Bonds, We Must Foster a Unified Culture"

Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group, stated, "2022 will be the inaugural year for Korean Air to advance as a global mega carrier."

In his New Year's address on the 3rd, Chairman Cho said, "This is not simply about merging two airlines, but a historic task to reorganize the Korean aviation industry and write a new chapter in aviation history. We intend to move forward without wavering."

He emphasized, "We face paradigm-shifting challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis, and the tasks to overcome and seize the lead lie ahead of us," urging to make this year one that achieves two important goals: the acquisition of Asiana Airlines and preparation for the post-COVID era.

Chairman Cho stated, "We must listen carefully to concerns with an open mind and create a foundation that fosters a unified culture beyond physical integration," adding, "Although it may take some time for the two companies to merge, please prepare step by step so that when they become one, the new family members can enter a warm home without feeling alienated."

He also likened the integration of the two companies to 'grafting,' a method of plant breeding. He explained, "To combine the strengths of two plants with different characteristics, we make wounds on the branches of each and bind them together, then care for and wait until they fully unite. During the grafting process, small conflicts may arise and it may take time to heal the wounds, but soon we will reap a wonderful and abundant harvest never seen before."

Despite the COVID-19 crisis last year, he credited the remarkable achievements to the dedication of employees and called for preparation for the post-COVID era.

Chairman Cho said, "The greatest driving force that allowed Korean Air to move forward without faltering in the face of the biggest crisis since its founding is the employees," and predicted, "Although the emergence of continuous virus variants slows market recovery, COVID-19 will eventually become a controllable disease."

He added, "Once we overcome the vague fear of COVID-19, suppressed air travel demand will gradually increase. Above all, it is necessary to rethink from the ground up what customers expect and want, and prepare to welcome them one step ahead."

In closing, Chairman Cho expressed, "I look forward to the day when we meet the fruits of the efforts made together with the employees who endured the toughest and coldest winter since the company's founding," and shared his expectations, "These steps will accumulate steadily, and the integrated airline we will soon meet will be fully worthy of leading the global aviation industry."

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