Incidents of passengers touching aircraft emergency doors out of curiosity or as pranks continue to occur in South Korea.
A passenger in his 60s, identified only as A, touched the emergency exit handle cover on Air Busan flight BX8106 after it arrived at Gimhae International Airport in Busan at 9:45 a.m. on January 17, Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday. The aircraft had landed and was on the ground when a cabin crew member immediately intervened.
The airline handed A over to airport police, and the Busan Gangseo Police Station is investigating the case on charges of violating the Aviation Security Act. A reportedly told investigators he touched the cover "as a joke."
Similar incidents have been occurring regularly. On January 4, a passenger on a Korean Air flight from Incheon to Sydney manipulated the emergency exit handle shortly after takeoff. When crew members stopped the passenger, the individual said, "I was just touching it while waiting. It was a joke."
In the past, passengers who touched emergency doors out of confusion or curiosity were often given warnings by crew or released by airport police with a caution. However, after an incident in May 2023 when an Asiana Airlines emergency door opened mid-flight over Daegu, airlines and police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy as such incidents surged.
According to Korean Air, there have been 14 cases of passengers manipulating or attempting to manipulate emergency exits over the past two years. The airline said it will pursue criminal charges against such passengers and is also considering civil lawsuits for actual damages.
Under Article 23, Paragraph 2 of the Aviation Security Act, passengers are prohibited from operating doors, emergency exits, or equipment on aircraft. Violations carry no fine option and are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
