Korean airports slammed for lax security after spike of dangerous weapons, drugs

Korea's major airport authorities came under fire for a series of aviation security lapses that led to the illegal possession of ammunition and drug smuggling at airports.

A Korean Air board in Incheon International Airport shows items that are not allowed during airplane boarding. [NEWS1]

Korea's major airport authorities came under fire for a series of aviation security lapses that led to the illegal possession of ammunition and drug smuggling at airports.

Lawmakers from major parties questioned Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation about the increasing cases of banned items and drugs during a parliamentary audit session held on Wednesday. Incheon International Airport Corporation oversees operations at Korea's primary gateway, Incheon International Airport, while Korea Airports Corporation manages 14 regional airports, including Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju.

"While there were only 19 cases of aviation security incidents at domestic airports over the three years since 2018, this year has already seen 30 incidents," according to Rep. Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party (PPP). "These issues are occurring at various airports across the nation and involve items such as ammunition, electric shock devices and gas sprayers that could directly relate to acts of terror on planes."

In May, a passenger on an Asiana Airlines flight from Jeju Airport to Daegu Airport improperly opened an exit door before landing. In earlier events, in March, an American male in his 70s was discovered carrying two 9-millimeter bullets on a Korean Air flight departing from Incheon Airport to Manila. In April, a male passenger on a flight from Gimpo to Jeju was found in possession of an electronic shock device.

A shortage of personnel in security-related positions was also pointed out as a contributing factor.

The number of security staff at Incheon International Airport Corporation in March was 18 percent more than its quota, possibly due to cost-cutting measures implemented after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Rep. Sim Sang-jeung from the Justice Party.

President Lee Hag-jae of Incheon International Airport Corporation, left, and CEO of Korea Airports Corporation Yoon Hyeong-jung respond to questions during a parliamentary audit on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

"Training of personnel as well as technological improvements are needed," said President Lee Hag-jae of Incheon International Airport Corporation.

Yoon Hyeong-jung, CEO of Korea Airports Corporation, mentioned a "complete reset" of aviation security and the development of a "master plan from a zero-base perspective" to address these issues.

In light of the increasing drug smuggling, lawmakers have called for enhanced self-regulation and surveillance measures within airport corporations. According to Transport Ministry data submitted to Democratic Party (DP) Rep. Kim Min-chul, the count of drug discoveries during security checks at Incheon Airport had nearly doubled, rising to 25 cases until August this year, compared to 13 cases in the previous year.

"Drug trafficking methods have evolved from postal or courier services to individuals physically transporting narcotics," said Rep. Kim Hack-yong of the PPP. "Yet airport security screening procedures are limited to detecting weapons and explosives."

Inspire Entertainment Resort on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, set to open late this year [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The upcoming opening of the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon's Yeongjong Island has sparked concerns about the potential threat to the livelihoods of merchants in the area and the limited involvement of local construction companies.

The Inspire resort, with a $50 billion investment, is poised to be the largest integrated resort in Northeast Asia with an area equivalent to 64 football fields. It will offer hotel rooms, an auditorium, a foreigner-only casino and over 90 convention facilities.

"With a large number of restaurants and cafés opening there, it's been tough for nearby local businesses," Rep. Heo Jong-sik of the DP stated. "Out of the 180 partner companies, only seven are from Incheon," highlighting the need for strategies to enhance the participation of local businesses.

"While this is a private-sector initiative, we cannot enforce it, but we will encourage local businesses to actively engage in the project to bolster the regional economy," the Incheon International Airport Corporation president said.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]