Korean Air, Consumer Deception... Mileage Deduction Under Review

Sung Il-jong, Chairman of the Policy Committee, Criticizes Korean Air
Received Employment Retention Subsidy During COVID-19 Crisis
Did They Forget Emergency Funding Support Through State-Owned Banks?

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Youngwon Kim] On the 17th, the People Power Party stated that the mileage deduction plan of Korean Air should be thoroughly reconsidered.

Seong Il-jong, the Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, raised the issue at the party's floor countermeasure meeting, saying, "Korean Air received employment retention subsidies funded by taxpayers' money during the COVID-19 situation and emergency funds through state-run banks, but now it mocks consumers. Isn't that shameful?"

Chairman Seong pointed out, "Korean Air plans to significantly adjust the mileage deduction method for airline tickets starting in April, deducting more mileage for longer-distance flights and reducing mileage deductions for short-distance routes such as Japan and China. Generally, when traveling to Japan or Southeast Asia, consumers use low-cost carriers that offer cheaper prices and more diverse schedules, while they accumulate mileage to purchase tickets for long-distance routes where ticket prices are high and alternative airlines are limited. Considering this, Korean Air's claim is contradictory."

Sung Il-jong, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, is attending the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He continued, "In response to consumer backlash, Korean Air delayed the implementation of the new mileage system by 2 to 3 months and announced a 'special mileage charter flight' for this year only, but this is merely a temporary measure like 'josemmo-sa' (a trick of changing the timing without changing the outcome). Korean Air should reconsider the mileage deduction plan even now," he criticized.