Chuck,
Not sure what years or fleets you're referring to specifically, but during the period I was there (2000-2005) there was little if any of what you've referred to going on the fleet I was involved with (A330). The Alteon instructors then were mostly top notch, particularly BV & DB who both put a lot into providing a good training experience.
Likewise, there were no obvious "fakers" on the fleet though there were certainly some who were not as strong as others. Overall the experience level was high and there were very few who ran into problems on a proficiency level. Now, relationships with the company and with some of the Korean pilots, that was another story that sounds like is still going on.
Not sure where things are at these days, but if KE is attracting more than its share of fakes and posers there may be a good reason for that. If you want those with experience and options to look your way you need to be offering a decent and positive work environment. From friends still there it seems that's something that still isn't too high up the to do list for Chairman Cho's minions.
ELAC