Kim Won-joon, former chief of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, took office as the 14th president and CEO of Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) on Wednesday, filling the state-run airport operator's two-year leadership vacuum. He pledged to put airport safety and public trust at the center of his management strategy. Kim is scheduled to visit Muan International Airport immediately after his inauguration to pay tribute to victims of a disastrous Jeju Air crash in December 2024, which left 179 people dead. He will inspect the site of the disaster and a facility storing victims’ belongings. He is expected to prioritize support for bereaved families and the handling of remaining issues surrounding the crash. At his inauguration ceremony, Kim said he would reassess long-standing practices and overhaul the company’s management system to ensure sustainable growth. He pointed to the challenges facing the airport operator, including a prolonged leadership vacuum, limited room for further growth in domestic air travel, a stagnant revenue structure and mounting financial pressures. Kim said sa