Byeon Woo-seok, Controversy Over Special Treatment Again... Using Priority Exit for Disabled at Airport

Use of Priority Exit for Disabled Instead of Regular Door
Favoritism Including Byeon and Others... Airline Management Negligence

Actor Byeon Woo-seok, who was embroiled in controversy over so-called ‘emperor-level security,’ has been reported to have received another special privilege. This has brought the poor management practices of the airline operations committee under scrutiny.

KBS reported on the 20th that Byeon was confirmed to have used the priority exit for the mobility-impaired at Incheon International Airport in July, instead of the general entrance.

According to the report, Byeon’s side submitted a usage form stamped with the airline operations committee’s seal, with the cooperation of a charter airline, to use the priority exit. This was in accordance with the regulation that members of the ‘Incheon International Airport Operations Council’ can use the priority exit with confirmation from the head of their institution.

However, the regulation for using the priority exit for the mobility-impaired clearly states that it is conditional on ‘official business necessity.’ Regarding this, Byeon’s agency reportedly stated, “We entrusted all matters to the security company, so we are not aware of the details.”

Actor Byun Woo-seok
Photo by Yonhap News

KBS also reported that, besides Byeon, the usage log for the priority exit at Incheon International Airport over the past five years was filled with reasons unrelated to official business, such as ‘attending fashion shows, performances, and business trips.’ Due to such poor management by the airline operations committee, Byeon’s side also received special privileges unrelated to official duties.

In response, the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration, which oversees the Incheon International Airport Operations Council, stated, “We will introduce sanctions that restrict the use of the priority exit for a certain period if misuse is confirmed,” and added, “We will prohibit the use of the priority exit through handling companies like the charter airline used by Byeon’s side.”

Earlier, Byeon was involved in controversy over excessive security while departing through Incheon Airport in July to attend a fan meeting held in Hong Kong. At that time, the security company controlled the airport gate, checked tickets of passengers using the lounge, and even flashed lights.

On the 16th of last month, the Incheon International Airport Police Unit announced that they had booked four people without detention on charges of violating the Security Services Act: Mr. A, a man in his 40s who is the head of a private security company, two security guards belonging to the company, and one freelance security guard.