Byeon Woo Seok’s Airport Security Debacle Reaches The National Assembly
Actor Byeon Woo Seok’s airport security controversy has reached the National Assembly.
On July 17, KST, the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee held a meeting with the President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, Lee Hak Jae, where he was grilled about the recent controversy regarding Byeon Woo Seok’s private security guards by Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong Gi.
The incident occurred on July 12, when Byeon was using Incheon International Airport for a trip to Hong Kong. After Byeon entered Gate 2 on the third floor of Terminal 2, employees from his private security firm closed the gate for approximately 10 minutes, causing significant inconvenience to other passengers.
엄빠랑 여행갈려고 공항와서 라운지 앉아있는데 선재가 들어올 확률은?👀
우석님 키 진짜 큼ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ#변우석 #선재 pic.twitter.com/spXwecbz1r— bibiꗯ̤̮ (@0oXxO_OxXo0) July 12, 2024
President Lee Hak Jae told the lawmakers that this was the first time an incident of this kind had happened since the establishment of the Incheon Airport. Since it was so unpredictable, the airport authorities failed to prepare beforehand and take comprehensive measures.
Hundreds of celebrities travel through the airport annually, but there have been no cases where a private security company overreacted like this…We will take this incident as an opportunity to come up with measures.
— Lee Jae Hak
Lee also accepted that the corporation deserved criticism for its poor management and the fact that such an incident even occurred in the first place was a cause of serious concern.
When lawmaker Jeon asked if there had been any consultations between the airport authorities and the security firm hired by Byeon to arrange the actor’s security, Lee responded that there had been none. According to Lee, security is coordinated between private security firms and the police. The police grant approval and then notify the airport authorities.
In the case of such incidents, Lee added, the airport authorities need to respond proactively, but since private security firms handle close protection, all they can do is ensure the safety of civilians from a distance.
Lee also admitted that the airport staff who didn’t intervene while Byeon’s private security guards took over gate control were at fault and will be held accountable.
They (private security company) controlled the gate without permission, which is clearly wrong. We will hold people accountable and ensure this doesn’t happen again.
— Lee Jae Hak
Meanwhile, Incheon Airport has also mentioned the possibility of pursuing legal action against Byeon Woo Seok’s security firm for the incident. Read more about it here.
