By Alex Jensen
SEOUL
A case of mistaken identity landed Korean Air in more trouble with the South Korean government Thursday – weeks after the airline faced nationwide outrage over its now former vice president’s behavior.
The latest controversy was triggered by the country’s popular singer Bobby Kim being downgraded from business to economy class on a flight to San Francisco last week.
Korean Air confirmed Monday that it had issued Kim with the wrong ticket, apparently belonging to another “Robert Kim”.
Local news agency Yonhap cited the South Korean transport ministry Thursday as it reported that the airline is to be fined upwards of 10 million won ($9,220) for what is being considered a security breach.
While the penalty itself is unlikely to dent Korean Air’s profits, the episode represents further embarrassment for South Korea’s leading flag carrier.
The company’s former VP Cho Hyun-ah, infamous worldwide by her English name Heather Cho, is currently in jail awaiting trial for her furious response to a flight attendant’s failure to serve macadamia nuts according to first class guidelines last month.
But Bobby Kim could also face charges for this latest Korean Air episode -- for his own in-flight anger at last week’s seating mix-up.
Kim’s alleged harassment of cabin crew while intoxicated has so far led to him being questioned by both South Korean and American authorities.
