[2025 Audit] Excessive Celebrity Security Bordering on Violence... "Culture Ministry Fails to Grasp the Situation" (Comprehensive)

Excessive Responses in Airport Security Under Scrutiny
Contracts Reveal "Violence Permitted" Under On-Site Discretion
Minister Choi Hwiyoung: "We Will Establish Guidelines"

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, attended the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

Excessive responses and violent actions occurring during celebrity airport security have become a major topic during the National Assembly audit. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it would establish guidelines for management and supervision.

At the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 14th, Min Hyungbae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, pointed out, "Some security guards have repeatedly engaged in behavior bordering on violence toward female fans in their teens and twenties," adding, "The Ministry, which should be overseeing entertainment agencies, has not even grasped the current situation."

Assemblyman Min presented video footage showing clashes between fans and security personnel at airport arrival and departure sites, criticizing, "Private security staff hired by each agency are repeatedly pushing or subduing fans."

He continued, "Despite ongoing controversy over excessive security, all four major domestic entertainment agencies have only responded that 'there are no cases of excessive security.' The Ministry, which is the main supervisory body for agency registration and mandatory education, also stated that it 'had not been informed of the situation,' which is unacceptable."

Assemblyman Min referred to a recent incident in which an actor Byun Wooseok's security guard shone a strong flash at a citizen attempting to take a photo, stating, "Both the security guard and the agency were fined 1 million won each for violating the Security Services Act."

He then disclosed clauses from security service contracts, pointing out institutional loopholes. The contracts included provisions stating that "covering the artist with tools such as umbrellas or shining a flash or laser at fans is permitted at the discretion of the on-site supervisor."

Assemblyman Min emphasized, "The Security Services Act clearly states that one must not infringe upon the freedom and rights of others, yet the contracts contain provisions to the contrary. Under the pretext of on-site judgment, violent means are effectively permitted. The Ministry must conduct a thorough investigation and establish standards for private security."

As an overseas example, France's private security guidelines were mentioned. Assemblyman Min said, "France specifies private security guidelines in its National Security Act. As K-culture spreads globally, excessive security must not be overlooked. The government should establish standards to ensure the safety of both artists and fans."

In response, Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, replied, "We are aware of the situation. We have sent a request for cooperation to agencies and will prepare guidelines for security management and supervision."

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is speaking at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, Asia Economy published an in-depth report titled "K-Star Airport Departure Wars," focusing on the reality of excessive security at airport sites and the lack of government oversight. The investigation revealed that physical confrontations such as security staff forcefully pushing fans or confiscating mobile phones were frequently occurring on site.

Currently, there are no national-level guidelines in Korea for airport security, safety, or the management of movement routes for media coverage. There are calls for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take the lead as the supervisory authority and come up with institutional improvements. Overseas, France and Japan have implemented national certification systems for private security companies, mandatory training, and standardized procedures for on-site control.

Additionally, while fan-created safety line cultures, such as the "Purple Line" campaign by BTS fans, are cited as exemplary cases, the lack of a public management system to support such initiatives institutionally is also highlighted as a problem. Relying solely on voluntary private efforts makes it difficult to guarantee the safety of artists, fans, and media personnel alike.

With the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism beginning to draft guidelines, discussions are expected to intensify regarding the introduction of standard contracts, a certification system for private security companies, and on-site training as part of institutional reforms.