Watchdog begins deliberations on Korean Air's alleged obstruction of probe

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has commenced deliberations on three cases involving Korean Air Lines Co., one of which alleges the carrier obstructed an investigation. The FTC's examiner recommended filing criminal charges against Korean Air and three of its employees for allegedly interfering with the probe linked to the merger with Asiana Airlines Inc. The employees are accused of deleting work-related computer files and emails relevant to the investigation during an inspection at Korean Air's Seoul headquarters in February.

Under Korean law, obstructing an investigation can lead to imprisonment with labor for up to two years or a fine not exceeding 150 million won (approximately $111,000). Two other cases pertain to Korean Air and its affiliates seeking to reduce seat capacity requirements imposed as part of the merger. According to the FTC's orders, Korean Air must maintain annual seat capacity on each of its 40 domestic routes.