This is not about social judgments. Rather, it is about allocation of resources. SK does not expect to pay 0% interest in the market and people who invest their money expect a greater return than 0%. There is no reason for consumers who were simply unlucky to bear the risk here when it ought to be spread across all taxpayers pro rate.

In this case, I would simply file a chargeback dispute and a DOT complaint. Coupled with copies of the e-ticket receipt, cancellation notice, request for refund, and promise of refund, the dispute ought to be resolved fairly quickly. If not, the DOT complaint will cause DOT to require SK to explain itself. It can't and will almost certainly process your refund immediately.