Korean Air Assault Incident Arising from Political Discussion
An incident where Korean Air pilots engaged in an emotional dispute that escalated into a physical altercation during a political discussion has recently come to light.
As a result, both the captain and the first officer were unable to participate in their next flight, marking an unprecedented situation, and ultimately the company imposed severe penalties on all involved.
According to the aviation industry on the 8th, the incident occurred between a captain and a first officer affiliated with Korean Air while they were operating the 'Incheon-Brisbane' route at the end of last year.
During their layover at a local hotel after arriving in Brisbane, they reportedly raised their voices while discussing former President Yoon's declaration of a state of emergency on December 3 and the impeachment process against him, which eventually led to physical violence.
The altercation between the two only ceased when the Australian police were called to the scene, resulting in the captain being injured to the extent that he had to be transported to a hospital, and the first officer also reportedly sustained injuries.
Ultimately, the involved pilots were unable to participate in the next flight, prompting Korean Air to urgently dispatch substitute personnel to ensure that operations were not disrupted.
Subsequently, Korean Air held a Central Disciplinary Committee meeting to discuss disciplinary actions against those involved in the incident. As a result, one captain and one first officer who directly participated in the assault were dismissed, while another captain who was present at the scene received a three-month suspension.
Regarding the incident, Korean Air explained, "An unfortunate disturbance occurred at the hotel during the stay, but there was no schedule the following day, and we promptly deployed substitute crew members to ensure flight operations were not affected." They further stated, "To prevent the recurrence of similar issues, we have reinforced internal guidelines and conducted internal training."
Image source: Korean Air, material photos for understanding the article / Movie 'Captain Pilot'
