Actor Byun Woo Seok (33) is facing controversy over his private security team that blocked the entrance to Incheon International Airport and checked the passports and boarding passes of citizens during his departure.
On July 12, Byun Woo Seok entered the departure hall of Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2 for a trip to Hong Kong. Following his entry, private security personnel closed the gate for approximately 10 minutes. This unauthorized closure of a public facility's departure gate for a celebrity's private use inconvenienced the general passengers. The security personnel reportedly told bystanders, "No one can enter. Understand?"
The security firm later explained, "We discussed with airport security beforehand due to potential accidents caused by crowds during the artist's departure."
However, as of the morning of July 15, Incheon Airport officials stated they didn't discuss this with the private security firm. The officials stated that they were unaware whether the incident occurred at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Initially, they stated, "Blocking one of the 14 gates at Terminal 1 is commonly permitted for safety reasons." Later in the afternoon, after confirming Byun's departure route was indeed through Terminal 2, they clarified, "There was no coordination with the airport regarding the Terminal 2 gate closure by the security firm."
Byun Woo Seok, utilizing private security personnel to block the departure gate without authorization, checked in at the Korean Air Premium Check-in Counter in Zone A of Terminal 2, dispatched his luggage and proceeded to the security screening and immigration inspection at Exit 1. The private security team, having issued boarding passes for themselves, escorted Byun into the secure area commonly referred to as the duty-free zone.
When Byun Woo Seok entered the Korean Air Prestige Class Lounge on the fourth floor (west side), the security personnel blocked the escalator entrance. This area should be freely accessible to passengers. The personnel began checking passports and boarding passes without any legal authority, claiming they were only checking those intending to enter the lounge. However, such actions, even more strict than police identity checks, were criticized as overreach.
Incheon Airport officials confirmed that the passport and boarding pass checks were not coordinated with the airport. The airport’s security force stated they also lack the authority to inspect passenger IDs. According to the Immigration Control Act, only immigration officers are authorized to conduct departure inspections.
The incident occurred in a secure zone where vigilance against threats such as terrorism is paramount. Despite the unauthorized security checks by unqualified personnel in such a critical area, Incheon Airport's response appeared dismissive. The airport, a public corporation under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, with 100% government ownership, was criticized for evading responsibility and failing to properly address the incident.
This is not the first controversy involving celebrities allegedly privatizing public facilities like airports. In 2019, idol group Seventeen caused a flight delay by boarding over an hour late. The Netflix drama 'You Have Done Well,' starring Park Bo Gum and IU, faced backlash last year for banning citizen photography during filming in Jeonbuk Gochang's barley fields. It is also common for filming crews to arbitrarily restrict citizen access in residential areas and streets.
Lawyer Yoo Young Joon from Yuyoung Law Office commented on the private security firm's actions, stating, "This is a clear abuse of authority and potentially constitutes coercion." A complaint has been filed with the National Human Rights Commission, claiming Byun Woo Seok's private escort team violated human rights. The Commission stated, "If there is evidence that Incheon International Airport facilitated the private security firm’s actions and discriminated against general passengers, a thorough investigation will be initiated."
Byun Woo Seok's agency apologized, stating, "We requested the security personnel to stop using flashlights toward airport users once we became aware of it. While we were unaware of the gate and boarding pass inspection situations, we deeply regret any inconvenience caused and offer our sincere apologies."
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