Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin, on the 3rd delivered a commemorative address to employees to mark the 57th anniversary of the founding of Korean Air Lines. Through the address, Cho emphasized forming a fully unified one team with Asiana Airlines, safety and service, and expense reduction.
In the address, Cho said, "This year will be a very important year in the history of Korean Air Lines," adding, "It is the time to complete the launch of the integrated airline and the year that opens the first page of the newly unveiled integrated Korean Air Lines history."
He added, "By successfully integrating the two airlines that have shouldered the responsibility for Korea's aviation history, we will accomplish the task of the times to create a more competitive airline industry ecosystem, as we pledged when we declared the acquisition of Asiana Airlines."
Cho said, "To do that, everything must be in a perfectly prepared state," adding, "First, in integration, I hope all employees will become one based on respect and trust. With everyone of one mind, we must achieve a complete 'one team.'"
He said, "At first, differences may be visible, and the process of working together may feel awkward," adding, "But if everyone moves toward the same goal of a successful launch of the integrated airline, we will be able to embrace one another regardless of prior affiliation."
Cho said, "In particular, executives must take the lead more than anyone else and communicate with employees with humility," adding, "The role of executives is to support employees in every possible way. In this process, seeking and driving change through communication is the essence of leadership."
Cho went on, "In customers' eyes as they look to integration, there is anxiety as much as expectation," adding, "We must make thorough preparations so that there is not the slightest lapse in our top priorities of safety and service, and firmly build customer trust."
He said, "In particular, beyond the safety of visible tangible assets, information security for customers and employees is emerging as a critical task that can determine the company's survival," adding, "The most important thing in safeguarding safety is establishing a companywide safety culture that everyone participates in."
Cho also said, "To respond to ongoing uncertainty, let's make efforts to reduce expense a part of our daily routine," adding, "The competitiveness of the integrated Korean Air Lines is completed not only when safety and service are strong, but when financial strength underpins them."
He said, "In a business environment where many uncertainties still exist, preemptive efforts are needed to turn crisis into opportunity again," adding, "Beyond simply cutting expenditure, participation by all employees is needed to eliminate inefficiencies in every work process and maximize productivity."
Lastly, Cho said, "Let's work to create a workplace where all employees are happy," adding, "You who work must be happy first in order to deliver a happy travel experience to customers. Let's strive to build an organizational culture of mutual consideration."