By You Soo-sun



Incheon International Airport has gone back on its word to secure permanent jobs for all of its 10,000 employees, according to Rep. Yoon Young-il of the minor opposition People's Party.



On social media, Friday, the airport announced up to 2,000 employees will switch over to permanent status by the end of the year.



The statement, however, met a backlash as company CEO Chung Il-young had pledged to give permanent job status to all irregular workers within this year.



He first made this promise when President Moon Jae-in visited Incheon Airport, May 12, and maintained his vow until a National Assembly audit of the employment and labor ministry, Oct. 24.



"I will push forward with the transition by making four to five subsidiary companies. I do not plan on using other resources," Chung said during the audit, adding the company was currently negotiating with its union.



The company has long been criticized for its workforce composition. Up to 87 percent of its employees, or 6,100 people, were hired under irregular status in the past ― the highest share among all public organizations.



This was the first public statement on the issue by Chung, who has for years insisted on keeping the irregular workforce.



The news was a ray of hope for these employees, some of whom had worked at the airport for over a decade.



However, he is accused of breaking his promise just a few days after the audit, during which questions were raised over the feasibility of Chung's plan.



Rep. Kim Sung-tae of the Liberty Korea Party criticized him for making a hasty promise, and expressed skepticism about his plan. "How is it possible to change the working status for 10,000 people all at once?" Kim asked.



Kim also condemned Chung's sudden change in position since Moon Jae-in ― who has pledged to remove all irregular jobs in the public sector ― was elected President.



Doubts were also raised over the sincerity of Chung's plan. According to Rep. Yoon Young-il, the airport made deals with 17 firms in June to outsource 3,700 employees who were hired under irregular working status. Chung refuted this claim, arguing the deal was made prior to his promise.



Rep. Choi Gyung-hwan of the People's Party highlighted the importance of ensuring transparency of the employment transition process. He argued the outsourced firms have hired 1,012 people since May, many of whom were relatives and acquaintances of management and entered the company without proper screening procedures.



