Crowds Gather for Celebrity Departures, Causing Repeated Airport Congestion
Airport Usage Plans Inadequate... "Effective Measures Needed"
Despite repeated congestion at airports, such as crowds gathering to see celebrities arriving and departing, it was pointed out during the National Assembly audit that airport authorities have yet to present any clear countermeasures.
At the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit of Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation on the 27th, Jeon Yonggi, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized, “Information about celebrity flights is being traded for 1,000 won on social networking services (SNS). There are even cases where people mark spots on the floor as ‘available’ to secure prime locations for taking photos, yet the corporation seems to be effectively neglecting the problem.”
In response, Lee Hakjae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, replied, “There are limitations on how we can handle individuals’ belongings,” adding, “We will review the issue with the police and consider legal measures to eradicate such practices.”
There was also criticism that the airport usage plan system, which is operated to improve order among airport users, is practically ineffective. Yoon Jaeok, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, pointed out, “From 2024 to August this year, celebrities departed from Gimpo Airport nine times, but only four airport usage plans were submitted.”
Yoon further stated, “At Incheon International Airport, from April last year to this month, 566 airport usage plans were received, but 446 of them (78.8%) were merely formal documents that did not specify movement routes. Please establish effective measures to prevent inconvenience to regular passengers.”
Lee Hakjae, President of Incheon Airport, answering questions at the National Assembly audit. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding the recent incidents during the Chuseok holiday where toilets at Incheon Airport became repeatedly clogged, the possibility of intentional damage was also raised. Kim Eunhye, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, presented photos showing entire rolls of toilet paper and even trash bags filled with waste being stuffed into toilets, and asked, “Does this kind of behavior-tearing off whole rolls of toilet paper and stuffing them into toilets along with waste-filled trash bags-occur frequently?” In response, President Lee said, “It does not appear to be the actions of ordinary passengers using the restroom,” and added, “We have identified a specific individual suspected of intentionally clogging the toilets and will request an investigation.”
Previously, the National Airport Workers’ Solidarity went on strike during the Chuseok holiday period, demanding improvements in working conditions. They have stated that another strike is possible if the government and the corporation fail to present new measures.
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