In-Flight Service Row

[Anchor Lead]

The chairman of Kumho Asiana Group has apologized for the fiasco surrounding the airline’s disrupted in-flight meal service over the last several days, caused by a dispute with its food supplier. He also apologized to the bereaved family of the CEO of the subcontractor firm who committed suicide under the pressure of the situation.

[Pkg]

Four days after the in-flight meal service disruption began at Asiana Airlines, the head and other executives of Kumho Asiana Group apologized to the public. Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-gu, in particular, apologized to the bereaved family of the CEO of the airline's subcontractor firm who committed suicide.

[Soundbite] Park Sam-gu (Chairman, Kumho Asiana Group): "I deeply apologize for this unfortunate incident. I apologize to the bereaved family."

Park Sam-gu also apologized to Asiana Airlines passengers for causing inconvenience and to the airline employees for making their job even harder. He vowed to fix problems that the employees have pointed out in a group chat room that they have opened on social media after the scandal broke out. The group chairman cited a lack of preparation in finding a new catering service provider, and blamed Korean Air, Asiana's rival airline that runs its own catering service, for its failure to help. Park Sam-gu strongly rebutted the allegation that Asiana demanded an investment in return for signing a contract with the catering firm. He also pledged to make sure that in-flight meals are supplied without disruption starting on Thursday. However, shortly after the news conference, Asiana Airlines employees posted messages in the group chat room blasting management for blaming Korean Air.