"No Similar Cases of Book Screening at Airports Worldwide"
On Local Election Speculation: "Not Considering It at All"
Lee Hakjae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, stated that conducting a full-scale investigation to detect the smuggling of foreign currency using books, in light of the recent 'dollar bookmark' controversy, would cause tremendous confusion and is therefore impossible. Regarding calls for his resignation from the political sphere, he said, "I am not considering resignation."
At a press conference held at the Incheon International Airport Corporation headquarters in Jung-gu, Incheon, on December 16, Lee emphasized, "The work of detecting foreign currency smuggling is clearly the responsibility of the Korea Customs Service, and the corporation's main work is to screen for hazardous items. Although foreign currency or drugs found during this process are not our responsibility, we search for them and hand them over to customs for processing."
Lee Hakjae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation, is delivering a greeting at the signing ceremony for the Tashkent International Airport operation contract held on the 14th (local time) at the Intercontinental Hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Incheon International Airport Corporation will provide consulting on the overall construction and operation of the airport for the next five years to Vision Vestment, which is in charge of the approximately 7.4 trillion won Tashkent New Airport project. Photo by Airport Photographers Group
He added, "Screening every book in passengers' luggage would not only take a long time, but there are no similar cases globally. If there is a suspicion, we will open the luggage and inspect it, but a full-scale investigation would not only inconvenience passengers but is also unfeasible from the perspective of immigration services."
During a work report on December 12, President Lee Jaemyung asked Lee, "It is prohibited to take more than $10,000 overseas, but is it true that someone could slip tens of thousands of dollars in $100 bills between the pages of a book and get away with it?"
In response, Lee answered, "Our main work is to screen for hazardous materials." During this exchange, President Lee Jaemyung rebuked him, saying, "Don't evade the question, answer what I asked," and "You are being evasive. I am asking whether it is possible or not, so why do you keep avoiding the question?" This scene was broadcast live, further fueling the controversy.
Lee stated, "I understood the President's remarks as a call to find measures due to concerns about foreign currency being taken out of the country," and added, "We will discuss with customs how to strengthen searches."
Additionally, Lee expressed his intention to complete his remaining term in office.
The Democratic Party of Korea has effectively demanded his resignation, stating, "If you are not going to follow the President's instructions, the least you can do is step down." On December 14, Lee also shared on his Facebook page, "I have received countless concerned messages from acquaintances asking if this means I should resign," expressing his thoughts on the situation.
Lee said, "Since this is a position with a fixed term, I am not currently considering (resignation or other options)," and added, "I have not received any requests from the government or political circles to state my position regarding my future." He was appointed as President of the corporation in June 2023 during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and his term is set to expire in June next year.
Regarding speculation about a possible run in next year's local elections, he said, "I am not considering it at all."
Lee emphasized that during his remaining term, he will work to implement a paid business fast track and advance the fifth phase of Incheon Airport's expansion. He stated, "Among the world's top 30 airports, Incheon Airport is the only one that does not have a paid business fast track. I consider this common sense in the airport industry, and I am determined to achieve it within my remaining term."
He also added, "By 2033, the fourth phase will reach capacity, and if we do not prepare in advance, we will not be able to handle the increasing passenger demand. I will work to ensure that the fifth phase expansion is confirmed as a government policy."
Regarding the development of Hurghada Airport in Egypt, he explained, "A pre-qualification announcement was posted on the 10th, and companies that pass this stage can participate in the review. The bidding is expected to be announced around April next year, and once the specific scope and details of the project are released, we will decide whether to bid, likely in the latter half of next year."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
