"Will Carry Out Suicide Flight Toward Gimpo Airport"... Investigation Launched Into Threatening Post by Suspected Pilot

Post by Suspected Pilot Appears on Anonymous Community
Signs of Dissatisfaction Emerge During Korean Air and Asiana Airlines Merger

The police have launched a fact-finding investigation after an extremely threatening post targeting Gimpo Airport was uploaded to an anonymous online community.

An Asiana Airlines aircraft is parked at Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

According to the aviation industry on January 19, a report was filed earlier that morning about a post on an anonymous platform for office workers, in which the author, implying they were an aircraft captain, specified the location of Gimpo Airport and announced an intention to carry out a suicide flight. The post was subsequently deleted, and as of now, there have been no reported disruptions to airport operations or flight schedules.

The Gimpo Airport Police and the relevant local police station, which received the report, are currently verifying the identity of the poster and whether they are actually employed by an airline. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Airports Corporation have also been informed of the situation and are closely monitoring developments. A representative from Korea Airports Corporation stated, "We are aware of the matter and are currently investigating the specific circumstances."

The author of the post is reported to have expressed dissatisfaction with the merger procedures between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. This incident is drawing attention as it coincides with ongoing internal conflicts amid the accelerated integration of the two airlines.

In December of last year, Korean Air acquired approximately 131.57 million new shares of Asiana Airlines, securing a 63.9% stake and making Asiana Airlines its subsidiary. Since then, the company has been expediting organizational integration by appointing executives in key areas such as safety, human resources, finance, flight operations, and maintenance.

However, ahead of the launch of the integrated airline, there has been a series of complaints within both companies regarding personnel assignments and working conditions. Many key positions have been filled by former Korean Air employees, while a significant number of Asiana Airlines staff have been reassigned to support and administrative roles, leading to criticism that the organizational restructuring is being carried out unilaterally. There are also reports that the shared use of Incheon Airport Terminal 2 has heightened tensions on site.

The two airlines are gradually integrating their service manuals and operational standards with the goal of launching the merged airline next year. However, workforce management and organizational stabilization have emerged as key challenges that need to be addressed going forward. A representative of the Korean Air labor union stated, "We continue to urge management to ensure that no particular group experiences a sense of relative deprivation during the integration process, and that fair opportunities are also guaranteed for Asiana Airlines employees."