"Working Like Machines" vs "Reverse Discrimination, Not Equality": Aftermath of Incheon Airport Regular Employment Conversion Sparks 청원 Battle at 청와대

Incheon Airport Security Staff 1,902 to Be Converted to Regular Positions
'Opposition to Incheon Airport Regularization' Petition Surpasses 200,000... Meets Blue House Response Criteria
"Don't Judge Rashly," Security Staff Voice Grievances

Incheon Airport Terminal 2. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Incheon International Airport Corporation’s announcement to employ 1,902 non-regular security screening staff as security guards has sparked backlash from job seekers.

In particular, a Blue House petition appealing to "stop the regularization of non-regular workers in public institutions" gained over 200,000 signatures within a day of posting, indicating that the backlash is not subsiding easily.

Amid this, a petitioner who identified themselves as an Incheon Airport security screening officer appealed against the unfairness of the regularization controversy, urging people not to judge based on appearances.

"Stop the regularization of non-regular workers in public enterprises" Blue House petition surpasses 200,000 signatures in one day

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

On the 23rd, a post titled "Please stop the regularization of non-regular workers in public enterprises" was uploaded on the Blue House petition board. By 8 p.m. on the 24th, just one day after posting, it had gained over 200,000 signatures, meeting the official response criteria of the Blue House. As of 9:45 a.m. on the 25th, it had received about 222,000 signatures.

The petitioner began by saying, "Please stop converting non-regular workers in public enterprises to regular positions," adding, "Many public enterprises such as Korea Expressway Corporation, Korea Railroad Corporation, and Seoul Metro have already undergone non-regular worker regularization."

They continued, "I thought the pledge to 'abolish non-regular workers' meant that non-regular recruitment would be eliminated or that these positions were regular employees of subsidiaries," and added, "Even jobs that were previously hired as temporary part-time workers became regular positions, and through protests, they received the same wages and benefits as existing regular employees. The recent conversion at Incheon International Airport is truly shocking."

The petitioner expressed frustration, saying, "What crime have job seekers who build their qualifications and study to enter this place, as well as current employees, committed? Is it fair to take away the positions of those who work hard? In office job categories, companies require nearly perfect TOEIC scores just to pass document screening, so is it fair that people with similar qualifications?or even without taking any exams?are simply converted?"

They also claimed, "Among those converted this time, many actually entered as part-time workers through 'AlbaMon' (a part-time job platform). Their group chat is full of comments like 'I was going to quit soon, but this is a benefit. Current employees studied for five years in college plus extra study, but I just earned this.'"

The petitioner criticized, "Who would want to pay university tuition, build qualifications, spend time and money? This is not equality. It is reverse discrimination and a greater misfortune for youth."

Finally, they concluded, "Even looking at Korea Railroad Corporation, station staff and train attendants have been moved into office sales, significantly reducing office sales quotas. Is this really a policy that benefits everyone without harming youth? Please stop the indiscriminate regularization of non-regular workers immediately."

Incheon Airport security officer: "Please don’t judge hastily based on appearances... I feel wronged"

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

Meanwhile, a petitioner who identified themselves as an Incheon International Airport security screening officer also expressed feelings of injustice.

On the 24th, a post titled "Please correct the misinformation and misunderstandings about Incheon Airport security screening security guards" was uploaded on the Blue House petition board. As of 9:45 a.m. on the 25th, it had received about 4,600 signatures.

The petitioner opened by saying, "I am writing this because I feel very wronged. Please put aside negative views for a moment and read this with a warm perspective."

They refuted the criticism of so-called "lottery employment," stating, "Until now, I have legitimately applied to the company, received training, taken exams, and worked diligently prioritizing aviation security above all else," and added, "Security screening officers work in shifts, enduring irregular schedules, starting work before sunrise and finishing after sunset."

They continued, "Before the second passenger terminal was built, I worked 14 hours a day dealing with over 100,000 passengers daily," and raised their voice, "If our existence is denied, then what are we working for? We work like machines for passenger safety, so if even that is denied, then why does security screening exist?"

They emphasized, "We are not part-time workers. We are employees legitimately performing security screening duties. Why do people judge us as 'comfortable' or 'lucky' just by looking at the surface without ever experiencing our work?"

Regarding the controversial open chatroom content, they questioned, "Why are you so sure that the offensive remarks came from security screening officers in an open chatroom without real names?" and criticized, "I don’t understand why our employees are being witch-hunted without any evidence."

The petitioner pointed out, "Why is there no opposition to other regular employees except security screening, yet protests are held only against security screening? You deny that qualifications and university are everything, but do you belittle our security screening experience? Why do you disrespect and judge the security screening profession without firsthand experience?"

Finally, they said, "You have probably seen news about 'mass resignations of security screening officers' causing passengers to miss flights. That’s because the job is so tough that many resign at once," and pleaded, "Please don’t judge us hastily based on appearances."