Live Bullet Found in Korean Air Flight Attendant's Bag: "Picked Up When I Was Young"

"Live rounds found in pouch used in the past from childhood"
Korean Air judged no intent... "Cooperating with police investigation"

A live bullet was found in the bag of a Korean Air flight attendant who was about to board a passenger plane at Incheon International Airport. Korean Air determined through its own investigation that it was not intentional and decided to actively cooperate with the police investigation.

According to the Incheon Airport Police Unit on the 4th, at around 7:30 a.m. on the 3rd, a live 7.62mm caliber bullet was discovered in the carry-on bag of a female flight attendant, Ms. A, who was about to board a Korean Air passenger plane bound for Bangkok at Terminal 2 of Incheon Airport. The police collected the bullet and allowed Ms. A to depart for the time being. They plan to investigate the circumstances of the bullet possession once she returns.

Korean Air’s internal investigation concluded that there was no intention to smuggle the bullet. According to Korean Air, Ms. A had brought a pouch she used during childhood from her family’s moving belongings and had placed it in her bag intending to check it later. It was explained that an old bullet was inside the pouch. Ms. A stated at the scene, "I did not know that the bullet I picked up during a childhood move was in my carry-on."

Korean Air said, "We will actively cooperate with the police investigation to clarify the matter," and added, "We regularly conduct aviation security training for cabin crew both online and offline, and we will strengthen education for all employees based on this incident."

This is not the first time a live bullet has been found at Korean Air. In March, a cleaner discovered a 9mm caliber bullet under a passenger seat on a plane bound for Milan, Italy, just before takeoff and reported it to the authorities. In March of last year, two 9mm pistol bullets were found on a Korean Air passenger plane departing Incheon Airport for Manila, Philippines. At that time, a passenger found one bullet under a seat and handed it to a flight attendant. However, the flight attendant reportedly mistook the bullet for metal scrap and did not inform a superior. Later, as the plane was taxiing to the runway, another passenger found an additional bullet and reported it to the police. As a result, aviation authorities fined Korean Air and Incheon International Airport Corporation 5 million won and 7.5 million won respectively.