Hanjin Group, the parent company of Korean Air, announced its regular executive appointments for the new year on Wednesday, promoting President Woo Kee-hong to vice chair of the nation's largest airline and flag carrier.
This marks the first such appointment following the airline's merger with Asiana Airlines last December, ushering in a new chapter as one of Asia's largest carriers.
Woo, who has served as president since 2019, steps into the vice chairman role, filling a position vacant since 2019, when former Vice President Seok Tae-soo resigned.
As the highest-ranking executive to receive a promotion, Woo is among 18 executives at Korean Air promoted this year. Park Hee-don and Eum Jae-dong were appointed vice presidents, while three individuals were promoted to executive vice president and 12 others to executive director.
Hanjin KAL, the holding company of Hanjin Group, also appointed Ryu Kyeong-pyo, the current president and CEO of Hanjin KAL, as its vice chair.
Asiana Airlines, meanwhile, announced 15 executive promotions. Song Bo-young, Cho Sung-bae and Kang Du-seok were named vice presidents, while five others were appointed executive vice presidents. Seven individuals were named executive directors.
These executive changes, according to a group official, will help the newly merged airline take a big step forward as an integrated carrier.
With a focus on safety and service, the airline aims to strengthen its position as a global aviation leader while contributing to the development of the Korean aviation sector, the official added.
By No Kyung-min (minmin@heraldcorp.com)
