Cheongju Airport is a Military Facility, Photography Prohibited
Eastar Jet: "Appropriate Measures Will Be Taken"
Eastar Jet flight attendants have sparked controversy after climbing onto the aircraft wing to take 'certification shots' while the flight was delayed due to heavy snowfall.
According to a JTBC report on the 13th, around 11:47 a.m. the previous day, flight attendants were seen climbing onto the wing of Eastar Jet flight 703, which was standing on the runway at Cheongju International Airport, to take photos.
Crew members were seen climbing onto the wing of Eastar Jet flight 703, which was standing on the runway at Cheongju International Airport, to take photos. JTBC broadcast screen capture
Photos capturing the situation show the emergency exit door wide open, with a flight attendant posing while looking inside from atop the wing.
The flight was scheduled to depart from Cheongju to Jeju at 10:20 a.m. However, due to more than 4 cm of snow accumulation since early morning, the runway was closed, and passengers had been waiting for departure for over an hour.
Moreover, Cheongju Airport is a military airport located within a military facility protection zone where photography is prohibited. Current law prohibits photographing, depicting, recording, or surveying military bases or facilities without approval from the commanding officer in charge. Violators face up to three years in prison or fines up to 30 million KRW.
It was reported that the flight attendants opened the emergency exit door, which can only be passed by bending down, and climbed onto the wing.
Eastar Jet told JTBC that during the wait caused by the heavy snowfall, they conducted training to open the emergency exit, which is usually not opened often, and that the door was not opened for the purpose of taking photos. However, they acknowledged that taking photos was inappropriate behavior and stated they will conduct an investigation and take appropriate measures.
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