It was this way long before Asiana 214. Numerous incidents attributed directly to seniority culture.
An extreme example was the KAL 747 that went into Nimitz Hill in Guam (hundreds dead).
Has it improved in the meantime? Sure. But as someone who knows a little bit about this culture (as well as the industry), I'm not convinced that the old ways/habits have gone away as much as they need to, and neither are quite a few friends of mine who have worked as sim trainers for the 2 big K carriers in ICN.
Having said that, it's way too early to speculate. But it sure as heck to me is looking like a situation that didn't need to end this badly. But what do I know, I'm just a AN monkey.