Jang Won-young's Airport Video Prompts Changes to Security Screening Guidelines

The Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) has announced it will "strengthen guidance" following criticism regarding lax security screening at Gimpo International Airport, which was sparked by a video of IVE member Jang Won-young going through departure procedures.

In a phone call with SBS Entertainment News, the KAC emphasized, "There was no preferential treatment for the celebrity. Like Incheon International Airport, Gimpo Airport conducts departure screenings in accordance with standard aviation security procedures."

According to the KAC, Gimpo Airport currently requests that passengers verbally remove any items covering their faces—such as hats, sunglasses, or masks—when verifying their identity.

The controversy began after a 10-second video of Jang departing for Shanghai through Gimpo International Airport on May 30 was released online. During the departure process, Jang complied with the staff's identity verification request by slightly lowering her mask.

Immediately after the video was released, criticism arose regarding Jang's attitude, followed by concerns over the lax nature of the departure screening at Gimpo Airport. Comparing the incident to their own experiences, internet users raised voices of criticism, asking, "Was the departure screening done loosely just because she is a celebrity?"

The KAC manages 14 airports across the country, excluding Incheon International Airport. While the Incheon Airport website provides guidance to briefly remove masks, hats, and sunglasses to verify identity during departure screenings, Gimpo Airport does not have such removal regulations posted. Although the KAC explained that they provide "verbal instructions," critics pointed out that relying on verbal notices rather than clear, situational guidelines could cause confusion for passengers.

Observing this, a citizen even filed an official complaint with the Security Management Department of the Gimpo Airport Operation Group, stating, "I do not know what criteria the airport uses for identity verification. Please make the standards and official guidance regarding identity verification more specific."

Accepting this feedback, the KAC announced improvement plans, stating, "We plan to actively guide and promote passenger identity verification procedures through various methods, including posting them on our website in the future."

 

Reported by Kim Ji-hye | SBS Entertainment News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.