Korean Air Line Co., South Korea's No. 1 full-service carrier will be fined for a ticketing error that violated the country's aviation security law, the government said Thursday.
Earlier this month, a popular South Korean R&B singer Bobby Kim was given the seat of a person with a similar name on a flight from Incheon International Airport to San Francisco at the fault of Korean Air.
Kim, upset about the mix-up, allegedly harassed several members of the cabin crew while intoxicated. He has been questioned by authorities in both South Korea and the United States and could face criminal charges.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said a decision has been made to penalize the airline company over the mistake.
"Investigation on the ticketing error is under way and based on the results, appropriate measures will be taken," said Lee Moon-ki, the head of the ministry's aviation policy office. He said Korean Air will be given a chance to explain the mistake.
The official pointed out that the airline had submitted a security plan to ensure correct ticketing procedures critical for flight safety, but it made a mistake in the case of Bobby Kim. Failing to follow security plans can result in a fine upwards of 10 million won ($9,220).
Korean Air confirmed that it committed the ticketing error by failing to properly cross check the names of its passenger.
The company has found itself in the midst of a social uproar after its former vice president and eldest daughter of CEO Cho Yang-ho abused members of a flight crew last month and ordered the chief steward to deplane over breech of in-flight service protocol.
Cho Hyun-ah has been indicted on charges of violating the aviation safety law and is in jail awaiting trial for unruly conduct and threatening the flight crew. (Yonhap)
