Incheon Airport Sues Byeon Woo-seok's Security Firm Over 'Excessive Security' Controversy

Incheon International Airport Corporation has sued actor Byeon Woo-seok's bodyguard company over allegations of 'excessive security.' 

Channel A News quoted an official from the Incheon International Airport and Incheon International Airport Police Corps on the 25th, stating, "Incheon Airport filed a complaint with the police at around 5 p.m. today."

Reportedly, on the 12th, a private security company guarding Byeon Woo-seok blocked the entrance gate of airport passengers and arbitrarily inspected their flight tickets, raising suspicions of abuse and coercion. The complaint was filed by the security team of the Incheon International Airport Corporation.

The police summoned a bodyguard who worked at the scene around 3 p.m. yesterday for questioning, which lasted about an hour and a half. They aimed to establish the facts of what transpired.

In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo on the 24th, Mr. A, the head of Byeon Woo-seok's security company, said, "Incheon Airport Corporation denies that it was not consulted, but the police investigation will reveal that the work was carried out in consultation with the Incheon Airport Guard."

Regarding the suspicion of blocking the gate, Mr. A explained how the automatic door could be manually opened and closed after passing through the gate at Incheon International Airport. "There were about four guards at the scene, and after actor Byeon Woo-seok passed through, the guards blocked the area," he said, adding that he would submit images of airport staff in the departure video as evidence.

Mr. A further stated that the control of the escalator movement for ordinary passengers inside the security area (airside) and the inspection of passports and boarding passes were conducted in consultation with the Incheon Airport Guard due to concerns about accidents. He emphasized that it is impossible for a private company to conduct such activities alone without coordination with Incheon International Airport authorities.

Meanwhile, actor Byeon Woo-seok faced criticism after receiving excessive security while using Incheon International Airport on the 12th to attend an Asian fan meeting tour in Hong Kong. Many fans gathered at the airport to see Byeon Woo-seok, and private security guards controlled the gate. Articles and videos alleging that bodyguards flashed other passengers or inspected their tickets and prevented them from using the airport lounge spread on the Internet, sparking controversy over excessive security measures.

Byeon Woo-seok's agency, Varo Entertainment, stated in an official position on the 15th, "We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused during the security process when leaving Incheon International Airport on the 12th."