Hoban Group increased its total stake in Hanjin KAL, Korean Air’s parent holding company, to 20.15% on 10 July 2026, acquiring 1,132,900 shares via open market purchases and narrowing the ownership gap with Chairman Cho Won-tae to just 0.41 percentage points. The move, disclosed through South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service, elevates Hoban’s holdings from 18.46% and brings its affiliate breakdown to 11.50% (Hoban Construction), 8.34% (Hoban Hotel & Resort), 0.17% (Hoban Industrial), and 0.15% (Hoban Co.). While Hoban labels the purchase a simple investment, the sector now faces heightened speculation over a potential management rights dispute that could reshape Korean Air’s fleet strategy, alliance positioning, and restructuring trajectory.