Korean Air ‘nut rage’ heiress resurfaces

in Seoul, South Korea where his father was a sailor who often sent postcards home from exotic places. That instilled in Park a desire to explore.

He applied to work at Korean Air while he was still at university.

“I knew I would be so good at this job because I’m a very friendly person and I like to help other people,” he said. He loved his job. His mother, who still lives on the little island, was proud of him. “But now, my situation has brought shame on her and our whole family,” he said.

When Park returned to work, he had to renew all his qualifications after more than a year off.

He was repeatedly given failing grades on language tests — in Korean and in English — and began to suspect it was on purpose.

After having worked as chief flight attendant and in first class, he was assigned to economy class and often given the most menial tasks, including cleaning the toilets.

The company says it has treated Park no differently from any other employee.

“There (is) no different work scope for juniors or seniors. As a result, seniors can be assigned (to) economy-class duties,” the Korean Air spokesman said.

“Flight attendants’ duty can rotate from flight to flight.”

Park’s co-workers have advised him not to make a fuss and just give up. But he is not giving up. He is suing Cho and Korean Air, alleging that they have demoted him illegally and have led to his being ostracized at work.

The case has been referred to mediation, he said.

Korean Air declined to comment on an ongoing legal case.

Park said he doesn’t expect to win, but he wants to make a point.

“I want to fight for my rights, even though I am just a little guy up against a huge company,” he said in English. “I want our people to think about what’s wrong and what’s right.”

And with that, he was off to work the economy-class shift on a Korean Air flight to the Philippines.