KAL’s purser returns to work 55 days after `nut rage` incident

Park Chang-jin (photo), Korean Air’s purser and a victim of “nut rage,” has returned back to work 55 days after he took sick leave beginning on Dec. 9, 2014.

At around 9 a.m. on Sunday, Park appeared at Gimpo International Airport in order to resume his work in flight KE1107 departing at 10 a.m. and bound for Gimhae International Airport in Busan. He told reporters, “I have nothing to say” and hurriedly entered security areas.

As for Park’s resuming work in domestic flight, not in international one, Korean Air explained, “This is based on company’s work policy. Flight attendants take turns between short and long haul distance as long-haul flight could be physically demanding.” On Friday, he had a talk with doctors who are working for Hanjin Group and concluded that he could resume his work.

On a two-day executive seminar held at the company`s training center in Yongin at the end of January, Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho said, “The company’s system and culture should be revamped to improve communication and to make employees feel that they are gaining sympathy from each other.” When appearing in a second trial as a witness for his daughter Cho Hyun-ah earlier that day, the chairman said, “I promise that Park will face no disadvantages at work.”