Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Inkukgong Incident Unrelated to CEO Dismissal Recommendation"

On the afternoon of the 16th, Koo Bon-hwan, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, held a press conference at the Incheon International Airport Corporation in Jung-gu, Incheon, stating, "In early September, I was told by a senior official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to voluntarily resign," and added, "I was not told the reason why I have to leave." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has actively denied any connection to the so-called 'In-guk-gong Incident' (the controversy over the regular employee conversion policy) amid its recommendation to dismiss Koo Bon-hwan, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated, "We have requested the Ministry of Economy and Finance to submit the dismissal recommendation of the President of Incheon International Airport Corporation as an agenda item to the Public Institution Management Committee."

The Ministry explained that after conducting an internal audit on President Koo Bon-hwan, "there were violations of relevant laws, and therefore, we recommended dismissal in accordance with the Act on the Management of Public Institutions." It emphasized that this recommendation is solely based on these reasons and is completely unrelated to the controversy over the regular employee conversion policy raised by some.

However, President Koo strongly opposes the dismissal recommendation, stating, "I was asked to resign by a senior official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but there is no justification." At a press conference on the 16th, he argued, "I heard the reasons for resignation, but they were only two: the use of the corporate card during the approach of Typhoon Mitag and the suspension of employees' positions. I was bewildered that these were grounds for dismissal," claiming that the Ministry is trying to build a justification for dismissal.

Regarding suspicions that the dismissal is an attempt to hold him responsible for the controversy over the regular employee conversion policy, he said, "I can only speculate and cannot say anything, but please speculate with me." He also expressed his frustration, saying, "When the union blocked the road and pressured me physically during the announcement of the regular employee conversion, I received outpatient treatment for three months, yet the related agencies are dismissing me without any encouragement or consolation."

The final decision on President Koo's dismissal will be made following the review by the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Public Institution Management Committee. President Koo has stated that if the dismissal proposal is approved, he intends to take legal action.