[New Year's Address] Chairman Cho Won-tae: "2026, the Inaugural Year of Aviation Integration... Proactive Response to Change Needed"

2026 Hanjin Group New Year's Address

Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group, has designated 2026 as the de facto inaugural year of integration for the airline division, calling for proactive responses to the rapidly changing global business environment and fundamental improvements across the organization.

In his 2026 New Year’s address, delivered via the company intranet on January 1, Chairman Cho stated, "This year, our airline affiliates must go beyond preparing for integration and operate at a level equivalent to actual integration, making this a period of adaptation." He emphasized, "True synergy is only possible when companies and employees who have long worked in different cultures come together with a sense of unity as 'us.'"

He added, "The pride in contributing to the expansion of Korea’s air routes and logistics territory, the responsibility to provide customers with comfortable and safe travel and logistics services, and the sense of mission in contributing to Korea’s development through transportation-these shared values will greatly empower us to become one."

Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Hanjin Group. Photo by Hanjin Group

Chairman Cho also addressed the uncertain business environment expected this year. He remarked, "This year, more than any other, we must continue fierce competition under challenging circumstances," and noted, "We cannot expect the base effect from the pandemic, the resolution of supply chain issues, or explosive demand growth."

He continued, "Moreover, changes in the global business environment are becoming more irregular, and the cycles are getting even shorter. Therefore, predicting changes in advance and responding in a timely manner are directly linked to our survival."

In this context, he urged employees to maintain a keen sense of reality and awareness of issues, presenting key priorities such as strengthening global competitiveness, prioritizing safety management, and pursuing efficiency-driven management focused on substance.

Chairman Cho stressed, "Hanjin Group’s competitors are now in the global market, not just domestic. To prevail in this rapidly changing environment, we must continuously identify strategic tasks and establish a tightly organized execution system centered on quantifiable goals."

Regarding safety, he said, "Safety is a non-negotiable value and our very reason for being," and urged, "Please practice an absolute safety culture in your daily work, not only in field safety but also in protecting the personal information and data security of customers and employees."

He further stated, "For sustainable growth, it is essential to strengthen our fundamentals through efficiency and innovation. We must strategically reallocate limited resources and eliminate waste to build robust financial health." He added that voluntary and active participation from employees is crucial in this process.

In conclusion, he emphasized, "Let us realize our vision of leading humanity to a better life and sustainable prosperity through innovation, and creating a better world through connection."