"Over 3.5cm Heels Considered Lethal Weapon"…Incheon Airport Implements Security Checks with Shoes Off

From the 5th, passengers passing through circular security gates
Excluding those using door-type security gates

Starting from the 5th, Incheon Airport will strengthen shoe security screening for passengers departing through Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 who pass through the circular security checkpoint. From this day onward, anyone wearing shoes with heels 3.5 cm or higher must take off their shoes and undergo security screening.

On the 5th, JoongAng Ilbo reported this citing the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Incheon International Airport Corporation. Previously, passengers were only required to remove their shoes for security screening if deemed suspicious, but from this day, all passengers departing overseas through Incheon Airport wearing shoes with heels 3.5 cm or higher must remove their shoes during the security screening process.

During the last Chuseok holiday, the departure hall of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 was bustling with crowds heading overseas.

Specifically, this applies not only to dress shoes but also platform slippers, winter boots, and rain boots, all of which must be removed. However, low-heeled shoes, sneakers, and rubber slippers are exempt from this screening. Additionally, passengers passing through the standard walk-through metal detectors instead of the circular checkpoint can continue to keep their shoes on as before.

The circular security checkpoint uses ultra-high frequency technology, displaying a brief avatar-style image of the passenger’s body. It was first introduced at Terminal 2 in 2017 and currently operates 41 units at Incheon Airport. This accounts for 70% of the total 58 security checkpoints at the airport, with the remaining 17 being walk-through detectors. The circular checkpoint’s scanning method is known to be harmless to the human body.

The biggest advantage of the circular security checkpoint is its short average screening time of under 25 seconds per passenger. However, there have been concerns about its relatively lower effectiveness in scanning below the ankle. It is difficult to detect drugs or ceramic weapons hidden in shoe heels or soles. This enhanced shoe security screening was implemented in response to such concerns. The 3.5 cm heel height standard is internationally recognized as the minimum height at which explosives hidden inside the heel can cause lethal effects. Shoe security screening is already in place in countries such as the United States, Thailand, and Vietnam. Germany and Singapore conduct selective screening only for high-heeled shoes.

An official from Incheon International Airport Corporation stated, "To minimize passenger inconvenience caused by shoe screening, we will analyze data after implementation and prepare necessary supplementary measures in the future."