[THE INVESTOR] South Korean low cost carrier Air Busan, a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines, came under fire on April 17 after a flight attendant uploaded a photo to her social media allegedly mocking passengers.

A flight attendant aboard a plane heading for Busan from Jeju Island three months ago uploaded a photo of passengers to her Instagram account on April 14. She added a caption reading, “All same permed hair (feat. Omegi rice-cake 400 boxes).” The identity of the flight attendant was not revealed.

 

A screen capture of an Air Busan flight attendant’s Instagram

Colleagues of the cabin crew left comments reading: “looks like a broccoli farm,” “is this plane heading to China?” and “they are all ajumma (middle aged women).” 

Immediately after the controversy surfaced online, Air Busan posted a letter of apology from the flight attendant in question to its official social media account.

“I was careless and thought a photo showing the back of the passengers does not violate the portrait rights,” said the flight attendant.

“I also apologize for uploading inappropriate text, making many people feel unpleasant. I know I did wrong and my behavior is inexcusable.”

Air Busan will take strict action following the improper conduct and introduce regular ethics education for all employees, an official from the airline said.

By Kim Da-sol/The Korea Herald (ddd@heraldcorp.com)