Asiana Gate Opening Accident: Man in His 30s Says "I Felt Frustrated and Wanted to Get Off"

Police Apply for Arrest Warrant on Charges of Violating Aviation Security Act

A man in his 30s identified as A, who opened the emergency exit door of Asiana Airlines flight 8124 traveling from Jeju to Daegu, reportedly told the police that he "opened the door because he felt suffocated and wanted to get off quickly."

On the 27th, the Daegu Dongbu Police Station announced that they had detained A on suspicion of violating the Aviation Security Act the previous day and have been investigating him for two days. According to the police, A stated, "I have been under stress after recently losing my job," and "I opened the door because I felt suffocated and wanted to get off quickly before the plane landed."

A initially refused to make any statements after being urgently arrested at Daegu Airport the previous day, but as the police investigation continued, he revealed his motive for the act.

A is suspected of opening the exit door just before landing on the Asiana Airlines flight from Jeju Airport to Daegu Airport at around 12:35 PM the previous day.

A’s disturbance at an altitude of 700 feet (approximately 213 meters) caused extreme anxiety among passengers, and nine of them showed symptoms such as difficulty breathing and were transported to the hospital.

The police plan to apply for an arrest warrant against A on charges including violation of the Aviation Security Act once the additional investigation is completed.

On the afternoon of the 26th, the emergency exit of an Asiana Airlines passenger plane that made an emergency landing at Daegu International Airport was damaged as the emergency door was forcibly opened. (Photo by Yonhap News)