Watchdog begins deliberations on Korean Air's alleged obstruction of probe

Korea's antitrust watchdog said Thursday it has begun deliberation proceedings on three cases involving Korean Air Lines Co., including the carrier's alleged obstruction of an investigation. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said its examiner recommended filing criminal complaints against Korean Air and three of its employees for allegedly obstructing an investigation linked to the carrier's takeover of Asiana Airlines Inc. According to the examination report, the employees deleted work-related computer files and emails relevant to the probe during an inspection at the carrier's Seoul headquarters in February. Under the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act, a person who "rejects, interferes with, or evades an investigation" may be punished by "imprisonment with labor for up to two years or by a fine not exceeding 150 million won ($111,000)." The two other cases concern requests by Korean Air and its affiliates to ease seat capacity requirements imposed in connection with the merger. Under the FTC's orders, Korean Air is required to maintain annual seat capacity on each of its 40 domestic