Hanjin expands third-generation management shift via Jin Air

SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- Jin Air Co., a budget flight operator under the family-controlled conglomerate Hanjin Group, said Tuesday it has named the son of the group's chief as its new head in the latest step to speed up the succession of the management power.

"Cho Won-tae has been carrying out his duties since being named as a director of the board in 2009. His nomination came as Jin Air is expected to boast strong growth down the road," an official from Hanjin Group said. Won-tae is the only son of Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho.

Choi Jung-ho, the incumbent chief executive officer of Jin Air, also maintains his seat. Hanjin Group said the company will be managed by two CEOs.

Industry watchers said the move will mark another step for Hanjin to transfer the management power to the third-generation of the owner family.

Won-tae is also the brother of Hyun-ah, a former vice president of Korean Air Lines Co., who came under the spotlight in the so-called "nut rage" case in 2014. She forced a Korean Air flight departing from New York back to the gate because of the way her nuts were served -- in an unopened bag instead of on a plate.

colin@yna.co.kr
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