Radical steps needed to avoid recurrence of scandal
Rather belatedly, Chairman Cho Yang-ho of Hanjin Group made an official apology to the people Sunday for his family's "gapjil," or arrogant and authoritarian attitude or actions against employees and others, that has triggered public outrage.
As reported extensively by not only the nation's news outlets but also foreign news media over the past 10 days, Cho's second daughter Hyun-min, 35, allegedly physically insulted an executive of an advertising firm and threw a cup of liquid at him during a business meeting. Her behavior has rekindled public furor after her elder sister Hyun-ah, 44, made Korean Air, Hanjin's flagship, become a target of international ridicule and public outrage over her notorious gapjil in 2014, dubbed "nut rage" by foreign news media.
Chairman Cho, who is absolutely responsible for his children's misdeeds and his wife's signature gapjil against people of the perceived "lower class", stated in a written apology that he has dismissed his daughters from all posts they held in the group. He said, "I am very sorry to worry the people and Korean Air's executives and employees regarding the problems related with my family."
It is not surprising that the two "rude" sisters were reprimanded by their father, the group owner, for their disrespect and loutish behavior toward others. The father took these very necessary punitive measures against his daughters.
But many people suspect that the two may be reinstated not before long, recalling that the first daughter, who was relieved of her post for the "nut rage" case four years ago, was allowed to resume her career in the group recently.
Chairman Cho's apology came after the Korea Customs Service searched the homes of the two sisters and their brother, as well as Korean Air headquarters, over allegations that the family smuggled luxury goods through bypassing mandatory customs clearance procedures.
The authorities ought to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. If the Cho family and Korean Air are found to have engaged in the smuggling scheme, they should be subject to stern punishment.
Cho should take the shameful scandal of his family as an opportunity to change the family-controlled management system so that professional executives can take over operations of the group. This change, if implemented, could allow the conglomerate to meet mounting calls for transparency and accountability.
Korean Air is a national flag carrier. It should do its best to live up to the honor of using the name of "Korea." It should not become an object of international ridicule and criticism anymore. The Cho family scandal is a good chance for the airline to be reborn.
Rather belatedly, Chairman Cho Yang-ho of Hanjin Group made an official apology to the people Sunday for his family's "gapjil," or arrogant and authoritarian attitude or actions against employees and others, that has triggered public outrage.
As reported extensively by not only the nation's news outlets but also foreign news media over the past 10 days, Cho's second daughter Hyun-min, 35, allegedly physically insulted an executive of an advertising firm and threw a cup of liquid at him during a business meeting. Her behavior has rekindled public furor after her elder sister Hyun-ah, 44, made Korean Air, Hanjin's flagship, become a target of international ridicule and public outrage over her notorious gapjil in 2014, dubbed "nut rage" by foreign news media.
Chairman Cho, who is absolutely responsible for his children's misdeeds and his wife's signature gapjil against people of the perceived "lower class", stated in a written apology that he has dismissed his daughters from all posts they held in the group. He said, "I am very sorry to worry the people and Korean Air's executives and employees regarding the problems related with my family."
It is not surprising that the two "rude" sisters were reprimanded by their father, the group owner, for their disrespect and loutish behavior toward others. The father took these very necessary punitive measures against his daughters.
But many people suspect that the two may be reinstated not before long, recalling that the first daughter, who was relieved of her post for the "nut rage" case four years ago, was allowed to resume her career in the group recently.
Chairman Cho's apology came after the Korea Customs Service searched the homes of the two sisters and their brother, as well as Korean Air headquarters, over allegations that the family smuggled luxury goods through bypassing mandatory customs clearance procedures.
The authorities ought to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. If the Cho family and Korean Air are found to have engaged in the smuggling scheme, they should be subject to stern punishment.
Cho should take the shameful scandal of his family as an opportunity to change the family-controlled management system so that professional executives can take over operations of the group. This change, if implemented, could allow the conglomerate to meet mounting calls for transparency and accountability.
Korean Air is a national flag carrier. It should do its best to live up to the honor of using the name of "Korea." It should not become an object of international ridicule and criticism anymore. The Cho family scandal is a good chance for the airline to be reborn.
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