'Terrifying Landing' Aircraft Emergency Exit Door: 30 Arrested Annually

Lee (33), who opened the emergency exit door of an aircraft landing at Daegu Airport, was arrested on the 28th on charges of violating the Aviation Security Act.

Im (33), who opened the emergency exit door of an aircraft landing at Daegu Airport, is attending the pre-arrest detention hearing at Daegu District Court on the afternoon of the 28th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Judge Jo Jeong-hwan of the Daegu District Court conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing for Lee from 2:30 p.m. for about an hour and then issued an arrest warrant.

Initially, Lee's detention decision was expected to be made later in the afternoon, but it was reported that the issuance of the arrest warrant was expedited because Lee confessed to the crime willingly in court.

Lee is accused of opening the emergency exit door at about 213 meters (700 feet) above Daegu Airport while an Asiana Airlines flight from Jeju Airport was landing on the afternoon of the 26th (violation of the Aviation Security Act). The police applied for an arrest warrant the day before, judging that "Lee's crime is serious and there is a risk of flight, so it is necessary to secure custody."

Before attending the warrant hearing that day, Lee responded to reporters' questions such as "Did you plan and open the door?" and "Did you intend to jump out?" by saying, "I just wanted to get off quickly." When asked if he did not think opening the door was dangerous, he said, "I am very sorry to the children," and headed into the courtroom.

At the time, there were about 190 passengers on board, including 65 athletes participating in the National Youth Sports Festival held in Ulsan, consisting of elementary and middle school students. Among the passengers, nine were taken to the hospital due to vomiting and breathing difficulties.

The police plan to summon and investigate the crew members and passengers who subdued Lee during the landing.