"XXya! Who Told You to Have a Baby?" Man Causing Disturbance on Airplane, What Punishment Does He Face?

Verbal Abuse Continues Despite Apology from Baby's Mother
Arrested by Police for Violating Aviation Security Act

On the 14th, a man causing a disturbance on a flight to Jeju because a baby was crying was booked by the police. Photo by SBS News Capture [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A social outcry has erupted over an incident in which a man aggressively confronted a baby and its parents on a flight to Jeju, claiming he was harmed by the baby crying. Compared to the parents' apology, the man's use of profanity and loud shouting has been criticized as excessively aggressive behavior.

According to media reports, around 4 p.m. on the 14th, on Air Busan flight BX8021 departing from Gimpo Airport to Jeju, a man in his 40s, Mr. A, verbally abused a baby just over one year old and the parents, claiming he was inconvenienced by the baby's crying.

Mr. A directed profanity at the parents, saying things like "XXya! Who told you to have a kid?" The baby's mother apologized, saying "I'm sorry." In response, the man said, "It's XX to curse at the baby, but is it okay for me to be harmed? Are adults allowed to be harmed?" Suddenly, Mr. A took off his mask, shouted at the passengers, and waved his arms around.

The baby's mother apologized, but the man is shouting loudly and hurling insults. Photo by MBC Newsdesk Capture [Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite continued attempts by flight attendants to calm him down, Mr. A continued his rampage, saying, "If your brat isn't disciplined, don't come! If you’re not confident, don’t have kids! You XX." The man seemed to sit down but stood up again just two minutes later and resumed his verbal abuse.

The flight attendants warned, "Sir, if you continue like this, you may be handed over to the police!" Eventually, male flight attendants physically restrained Mr. A and moved the family who had been verbally abused to the very back seats, separating them from Mr. A.

Mr. A was handed over to the police upon arrival in Jeju. The Jeju police decided to investigate Mr. A on charges of violating the Aviation Security Act. In-flight disturbances threaten the safety of other passengers and can lead to flight diversion or emergency landings, and are strictly prohibited.

Article 23 of the Aviation Security Act stipulates that causing disturbances such as verbal abuse or loud shouting on board, threatening the safety of the aircraft and passengers, can result in imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Experts have called for strict punishment. On the 16th, Seung Jae-hyun, a research fellow at the Korea Institute of Criminal Justice Policy, appeared on YTN's "News Rider" and explained, "(The legal basis for punishment) will be Article 23 of the Aviation Security Act," adding, "If you cause a disturbance, you face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won."

He continued, "If passengers fall into panic, it can spiral into uncontrollable fear," emphasizing, "Therefore, such behavior on an aircraft can be considered a form of terrorism against the general public, so active punishment is necessary." He added, "If we do not severely punish such cases as a deterrent, these incidents will continue to occur. So I hope for strict enforcement."