JANG WONYOUNG's Airport Video Sparks Changes to Gimpo Airport's Security Procedures

Following criticism regarding lax security screening at Gimpo International Airport sparked by a video of IVE member JANG WONYOUNG’s departure, the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) has announced that it will "strengthen its guidance 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) during identity verification.

The controversy arose after a 10-second video of JANG WONYOUNG departing for Shanghai through Gimpo International Airport on the 30th of last month was released online. In the video, JANG WONYOUNG complied with the staff's identity verification request by slightly lowering her mask.

Immediately after the video was released, critics questioned JANG WONYOUNG’s attitude, which then escalated into concerns about the laxity of Gimpo Airport’s departure screening. Comparing the situation to their own experiences, many voiced criticism, asking, "Was the departure screening handled loosely just because she is a celebrity?"

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

A citizen who observed the situation even filed an official complaint with the Security Management Department of Gimpo Airport, stating, "I am not sure what criteria the airport uses for identity verification. Please make the standards and official guidelines regarding identity checks more specific."

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

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)