You already asked this question on TA air travel forum and got conclusive answers so not sure why you are asking here. The whole problem with your two separate tickets with two different airlines is that you will not be allowed to board the flight to ICN if you do not have an appropriate visa, as this is your destination as far as Cathay are concerned. Whether Emirates have a transfer deck is irrelevant as unless you can get your two PNRs combined by a bricks and mortar travel agent you will not even get there.