Korean Air Captain and First Officer Clash Over 'Yoon Impeachment'... Replacement Crew Deployed

Raised Voices Over 'Yoon's Impeachment' During Stay
Escalated to Assault, Ambulance and Police Dispatched
Replacement Crew Sent to Prevent Flight Disruptions

An Asiana Airlines passenger plane is waiting on the runway and apron at Incheon International Airport, Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

It has been confirmed that Korean Air pilots were unable to operate a flight last year after getting into a fistfight while discussing the impeachment case of former President Yoon Seok-yeol during their stay in Australia. The airline reportedly deployed replacement personnel for the affected flight and held a Central Disciplinary Committee meeting, issuing severe disciplinary actions such as dismissal to those involved.

According to a compilation of reports from the aviation industry and the media on the 7th, the captain and first officer operating the Korean Air flight from Incheon to Brisbane (Australia) in December last year became emotionally heated and assaulted each other over differing political views while conversing at a local hotel about former President Yoon’s December 3 emergency martial law and presidential impeachment proceedings.

As a result of the incident, the captain sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance, with Australian police also responding to the scene. Due to the assault, both the captain and first officer were unable to participate in subsequent flights, and Korean Air urgently sent replacement personnel to Brisbane to maintain the flight schedule.

In an interview with News1, Korean Air stated, "An unfortunate disturbance occurred at the hotel where they were staying, but there was no schedule the following day, and replacement crew members were immediately deployed, so there was no disruption to operations." They added, "To prevent recurrence of the same issue, we have reemphasized internal guidelines and conducted internal training."

Meanwhile, it is reported that the disciplined pilots plan to file petitions with the local Labor Relations Commission and the Central Labor Relations Commission, contesting the Korean Air Central Disciplinary Committee’s decision.