Regarding the direct employment issue in the 'InGukGong incident,' "Consensus must be formed first... Relief should be sought for those who fail"
On Gadeokdo New Airport, "Relocation demand limited to 7%... It's acceptable if it becomes a Southeast region hub"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon, Incheon=Reporter Lee Dong-woo] Kim Kyung-wook, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, has notified Sky72 Golf & Resort to cease operations starting from April. Sky72, which operates a golf course on land owned by Incheon Airport, has continued to operate illegally and without permission despite the land use contract having expired at the end of last year.
On the 24th, President Kim held a press conference at the corporation's main conference room in Jung-gu, Incheon, stating, "On the 23rd, I met with the representative of Sky72 and informed them to stop operations as of April 1. From April, Sky72 will no longer operate on the site."
According to the corporation, President Kim held a meeting the previous day with the representative of Sky72 and the representative of KMH Shilla Leisure, the new contract party, to discuss this plan. He said, "Related measures should have been taken immediately after the contract ended in January, but the appointment process of the president was delayed, causing a delay. Since Sky72 is operating without any legal basis, resulting in disputes with the corporation, it is necessary to resolve this promptly."
President Kim’s notification to Sky72 to end operations in April aims to minimize damage to existing golf course reservation holders. He added that even if Sky72 stops operations after April, the successor operator will not immediately start business, and if disputes or lawsuits continue, the corporation is considering opening the golf course to the public.
He stated, "After April 1, I will personally explain to citizens and visitors that the golf course cannot operate," adding, "Once preparations are complete, it can be provided as a leisure space for the public, and after the corporation manages the site and the disputes are resolved, a new operator will be allowed to conduct business."
In his first press conference since taking office, President Kim expressed a cautious stance on the issue of direct employment of subsidiary employees, one of the biggest challenges facing Incheon Airport. He said, "The government’s guidelines are out and the direction is set, but there is still a lack of consensus. It will be possible to proceed after narrowing the gap through dialogue."
He also mentioned, "There were people excluded during the direct employment process, and there is debate over whether it constitutes illegal dismissal. Fundamentally, it is true that some were harmed during the implementation of government policy. We need to seek remedial measures," indicating plans to prepare relief measures.
Regarding concerns that the recently politically heated 'Gadeokdo New Airport' could negatively impact Incheon Airport’s status as a hub, he said, "Incheon Airport has already secured its position as a hub airport, and even if the new airport is built, the transfer demand will be limited to a maximum of about 7%. If Gadeokdo New Airport has the potential to develop as a hub airport for the southeastern region, pursuing its construction is acceptable."
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