Curiosity Causes 1-Hour Delay of Jeju to Gimpo Flight After Emergency Exit Tampering

Emergency Exit Cover Falls Off After Passenger Touches It
No Violation of Aviation Security Act... Released with a Warning
"Do Not Carelessly Touch Emergency Exits or Related Equipment"

Jeju International Airport panoramic photo

A passenger on a flight preparing for takeoff at Jeju International Airport caused a departure delay of over an hour by touching the emergency exit out of curiosity.

According to the Jeju Airport Police Unit and Korean Air officials on the 6th, at around 8:20 p.m. the previous day, the emergency exit cover detached and fell inside Korean Air flight KE1326 from Jeju to Gimpo. It is reported that a male passenger in his 30s, Mr. A, touched the emergency exit handle while being guided by a flight attendant about the location of the emergency exit.

Eventually, a scuffle broke out between the passenger and the flight attendants. After receiving a report from the airline, the airport police unit arrived, removed Mr. A from the plane, and took him into custody. After investigation, the police determined there was no suspicion of terrorism or violation of the Aviation Security Act and released him with a warning. However, the flight departed about an hour later than scheduled, causing significant inconvenience to the passengers.

A Korean Air official described the incident as a "simple curiosity-driven mishap," but emphasized that "passengers must not touch emergency exits or related equipment carelessly during flight attendant instructions." The current Aviation Security Act prohibits passengers from operating aircraft doors, emergency exits, or equipment. Violations can result in imprisonment of up to 10 years, and if casualties occur, additional penalties including death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of seven years or more may be imposed.

Meanwhile, a partial amendment to the Aviation Security Act, proposed by Joo Ho-young, a member of the People Power Party, to strengthen penalties for acts endangering passenger safety, is currently pending in the National Assembly. This bill was prepared as a follow-up measure after an incident in May 2023 where a passenger forcibly opened an emergency exit on an Asiana Airlines flight from Jeju to Daegu during landing.