Violent Airport Security Incident Involving Actor Byun Woo-seok Leads to Fines for Private Guards

A private security guard and their agency involved in a controversy over excessive security measures for actor Byun Woo-seok at Incheon International Airport have each been fined 1 million won (approximately $720 USD) following the first trial ruling.

The incident occurred last July as Byun Woo-seok was departing for a fan meeting in Hong Kong.

During the hearing on the 2nd, Chief Judge Shin Heung-ho of the Incheon District Court's Criminal Division 6 stated, "Shining lights constitutes the exercise of physical force and does not fall within the scope of security duties."

At the time, the security personnel were accused of exceeding their duties by controlling gate access, flashing lights at passengers near the lounge, and even inspecting boarding passes. The court also considered the departure style of the celebrity being guarded.

Judge Shin pointed out, "The person being guarded (Byun Woo-seok) did not use the airport discreetly to avoid being followed but rather openly managed his schedule as if he were at a fan meeting." The judge added that if the intention was to prevent filming, the schedule could have been kept secret, and the individual could have covered their face with a hat and mask and moved to a less crowded area.

This verdict is seen as setting a concrete standard for the boundaries of private security during celebrity airport transit. It reaffirmed that restricting the movement of general passengers, shining lights, or checking boarding passes due to site congestion are actions outside the scope of security duties.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University commented, "This will serve as a good precedent for Hallyu stars and their agencies in the future," adding, "Actions that inconvenience the public in public places like airports should not occur."

He further emphasized, "As K-content spreads globally, it is very important for Hallyu stars to observe basic etiquette in public spaces."

Korean netizens reacted positively, with comments such as 'Finally, a proper judgment was made,' 'Both stars and fans need to be considerate of each other,' and 'The airport is a space for everyone, that was too much.'