Incheon Airport President Who Resigned: "Lost Trust... Will Not Cling to Position"

Resignation Announced with 10 Months Left in Term... "Work to End After April Public Enterprise Management Evaluation"

"There was no direct pressure to resign. However, based on several recent circumstances, I was able to understand the intentions of the appointing authority."

On the 28th, Kim Kyung-wook, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, met with reporters at the Incheon International Airport press room and stated, "Since it has been confirmed that trust has already been lost, it is appropriate for a public official not to cling to the position any longer."

Kim, a former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), took office as President of Incheon International Airport in February 2021. His term is set to expire on February 1 of next year. However, on the 23rd, he expressed his intention to resign after resolving current issues during a meeting with Minister Won Hee-ryong of MOLIT. He announced his resignation with about 10 months remaining in his term.

Until now, it was analyzed inside and outside government circles that Kim had been subjected to direct or indirect pressure to resign. This is because he ran for the general election as a member of the Democratic Party and was appointed as president during the Moon Jae-in administration. Earlier this year, Kim had indicated his intention to complete the remainder of his term.

He explained that there was no direct pressure. However, the recent discovery of live ammunition at Incheon Airport was identified as a decisive factor. He said, "Although the president is not entirely responsible for the live ammunition incident, I do not think it is a matter warranting dismissal," and added, "After the live ammunition incident, I saw that MOLIT excluded me by saying 'Do not report to the president,' which I interpreted as a sign to step down."

Kim emphasized the need to revise laws regarding the terms of public institution heads. He said, "Due to the legal system, it is not possible to demand resignation," and added, "The legal system, which disregards reality, should be revised to prevent conflicts related to terms."

Kim plans to conclude his term in a month. He explained, "I have submitted my resignation letter to MOLIT effective April 28," and added, "Since the president's mid-term departure could damage work, I will finish my duties as soon as possible after the airport anniversary event and the April public enterprise management evaluation are completed."

Kim graduated from Chung-Ang High School in Seoul and the Department of Economics at Seoul National University. He passed the 33rd Administrative Examination and began his public service career. He served as Director of the Railway Bureau, Director of the Transportation and Logistics Office, Director of the Planning and Coordination Office, and eventually as the 2nd Vice Minister of MOLIT. He ran as a Democratic Party candidate for Chungju City, Chungbuk Province, in the 21st general election but was defeated.