[VIDEO NEWS] “Korean” Air?
2) With Fuji TV, a Japanese television station, and the New York Times calling the Cho sisters the “nut princess” and the “water-throwing princess,” Korean Air has become a target of worldwide ridicule.
3) Repeated controversy over the abuse of power in the company has even led to a petition at the Blue House.
4) Some people are demanding that Korean Air have its status taken away as the national carrier, along with the Taegeuk mark and the name “Korean Air,” as it is tainting the honor of the country.
5) “I believe it is time we examine whether the Cho Yang-ho (owner of Korean Air) family deserves the honor of being the national carrier.” - Choo Mi-ae, chairwoman of the Democratic Party
6) Even politicians are discussing the legitimacy of Korean Air’s national carrier status.
7) How did they get the name “Korean Air” in the first place?
8) The company originated from the state enterprise “Korean Air Lines.”
9) When deficits continued, “Korean Air Lines” was taken over by Hanjin Group,
10) and the name “Korean Air” remained.
11) Current law restricts “brand names using a clear geographical name,” and using “Korean” has been banned since 2008.
12) However, there isn’t a way to restrict names that have been authorized before the enactment of the law.
13) The Taegeuk mark that Korean Air uses as its logo is also difficult to regulate.
14) The Trademark Law banned logos that are the same as, or similar to, the Korean national flag.
15) However, the Korean Air logo was passed because it has a propeller shape drawn in the middle of the Taegeuk mark.
16) There isn’t a clear way for the government to force changes in names and logos.
17) However, a trial, in which the Supreme Court would make the final decision, can be done for the cancellation of the trademark registration.
18) Almost like a monopoly, Korean Air has been growing in the industry with benefits from the government on grounds of “national competitiveness.”
19) However, it seems that their dignity has not followed suit.
20) As Korean Air continues to receive government support and carry the Taegeuk mark similar to the Korean flag, the people of Korea are considering the airline responsible for miring their national pride.
Video sourced from JoongAng Ilbo
Directed by Kim Hwa-jeong
Produced by Kim Hee-sang
Translated by Kim Hyo-jung
Edited by Hoyeon Yoo
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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