Actor Byeon Woo-seok is departing through Incheon International Airport on the morning of February 24, 2025 (KST), heading to Milan, Italy, to attend the PRADA FW25 Donna Fashion Show. / Image credit: Star News
Court Rules Against Over-the-Top Security Measures
On October 2 (KST), the Incheon District Court ruled on the case involving actor Byeon Woo-seok’s airport security incident from July last year. Both a bodyguard (44) and their security company were fined 1 million won each for violating the Security Services Act.
The Incident at Incheon International Airport
The controversy began when Byeon Woo-seok traveled through Incheon International Airport on his way to Hong Kong for an Asian fan meeting tour. His security team was accused of intimidating other passengers—specifically by shining flashlights into fans’ faces and blocking access to airport gates to manage the crowd.
Court’s Reasoning
The judge stated that these actions went beyond the legal scope of private security, noting:
“Shining light is considered an exercise of physical force. It does not fall within the scope of security duties.”
The court also criticized the way the situation was handled, pointing out that if the intent was to protect the actor’s privacy, there were less aggressive measures that could have been taken—such as keeping his schedule discreet or moving through less-crowded areas.
“Fan Meeting Atmosphere” Criticism
The ruling also noted that instead of avoiding large groups, Byeon Woo-seok’s schedule was public and open, which made the airport appearance feel more like a fan event. The judge remarked that shining lights at fans who were simply filming with their phones was an unnecessary use of force.
Final Decision and Aftermath
In deciding the sentence, the court considered the fact that the bodyguard and security company promised not to repeat such actions and had no prior record of similar offenses.
While Byeon Woo-seok himself was not charged, the case sparked widespread discussion about idol/actor security practices at airports, with many fans calling for better balance between safety and respect for the public.
