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On December 12, actor Byun Woo-seok’s departure from Incheon International Airport was the subject of a controversy over excessive security.
Employees of a private security company hired by Byun Woo-seok’s agency arbitrarily blocked the departure gate for about 10 minutes after Byun Woo-seok had passed through the departure hall, and used flashlights inside the departure hall, causing inconvenience to airport passengers.
Once inside the airline lounge, the employees of the security company checked the passports and tickets of other passengers, which was pointed out as an illegal act by a private security company without legal authority.
Incheon Airport Corporation confirmed that they were not consulted about the incident. A citizen filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, claiming that his human rights were violated due to excessive security.
The company apologized, citing moral responsibility, but Mr. Byun Woo-seok left the airport without comment.
The Incheon Airport Police Corps launched an investigation into whether the six employees of the security company could be charged with obstruction of business and coercion under the Criminal Code.
The National Assembly also questioned the incident. Lawmakers criticized the airport corporation for failing to foresee the incident and urged it to take measures to prevent future recurrences.
Incheon Airport Corporation President Lee Hak-jae stated that the private security company’s control of the gate and inspection of other passengers’ passports or boarding passes was illegal and that he would hold them accountable.
The incident was a major blow to Mr. Byun’s image. His modeling fees and endorsement deals have been affected by the controversy, and some brands have been cautious, removing him from their modeling shortlists or putting him on hold.
Mr. Byun is currently undecided about his next project, and the controversy is also affecting his career.
In the wake of this incident, Incheon International Airport Corporation is looking to create rules of conduct for private security companies in consultation with the police, and to increase the penalties for violations. This will help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
This incident has brought the issue of over-policing and monopolistic behavior at airports into the public domain, and emphasized the need for the airport and the police to work together to take measures to prevent recurrence.
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