Korean Air Faces 110 Billion KRW Fine from Russian Customs... "Will Take Administrative Lawsuit and Other Measures"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Korean Air has been fined 110 billion KRW by the Russian customs authorities. The company stated that the penalty is excessively harsh and plans to respond through administrative litigation and other measures.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system (DART) on the 21st, Korean Air announced in a securities report yesterday that the cargo flight KE529, which departed from Incheon on February 22 last year, stopped over in Moscow before heading to Frankfurt, Germany, and had received takeoff clearance from the air traffic control at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport.

However, the customs office at the airport pointed out that some departure procedures were omitted. It was deemed illegal because the customs stamp, which must be obtained before departure, was missing at takeoff. Consequently, about a year later, on February 24, the customs imposed a fine of 8 billion rubles (approximately 110 billion KRW) on Korean Air.

Korean Air maintains that the airport customs applied the law unreasonably and imposed an excessive and harsh penalty. The airline explained, "We submitted all documents and data according to Russian regulations, properly cleared the cargo, and even received prior approval electronically from customs. Afterwards, we moved the aircraft with the approval of the border guard and airport air traffic control authorities." It added, "Considering that all norms and procedures except for the customs stamp were properly followed, it can be confirmed that there was no illegal intent."

Korean Air stated, "We have repeatedly explained these facts to the customs authorities at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, and related government agencies such as the Korea Customs Service, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have actively cooperated with our explanations. Nevertheless, the airport customs applied the law unreasonably and imposed an excessive and harsh penalty."

Korean Air has filed an objection with the Federal Customs Service, refusing to accept the airport customs' decision. A company official said, "Currently, the Moscow Aviation and Maritime Traffic Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the customs measures ex officio, and after this procedure concludes, the Federal Customs Service will review the case. We plan to sincerely explain our position going forward and take all possible measures, including administrative litigation, to cancel or reduce the excessive penalty."

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