“Why Are Celebrities Treated Leniently?” “This Is Preferential Treatment” — Airports Corporation Strengthens Identity Verification Guidance Amid Controversy

Jang Wonyoung Faces Criticism Over Attitude During Security Screening
Guidance Strengthened Amid Backlash Over “Preferential Treatment for Celebrities”

Korea Airports Corporation has significantly strengthened its identity verification guidance following the controversy over ID verification during the departure of Jang Wonyoung, a member of the girl group IVE, at Gimpo Airport.

According to the Korea Airports Corporation website on June 20, a new notice has been added under the “Boarding Gate Identity Verification and Ticket Inspection” section of Gimpo International Airport’s departure simulation. Alongside a warning sign, the notice states, “Please temporarily remove your mask, hat, and sunglasses to confirm your identity.”

Previously, the guidance only described the procedure as, “Present your ID and boarding pass to the security staff (security guard) at the departure hall entrance for identity verification.” However, in light of the recent controversy over preferential treatment for celebrities, the airport has reinforced the guidance to ensure that all passengers clearly understand the on-site instructions, which might have been ambiguous before.

On the 30th of last month, Jang Wonyoung passed through the security checkpoint at Gimpo International Airport for her schedule in Shanghai, China. At the time, her face was completely covered with a hat and mask as she went through identity verification. At the staff’s request, she slightly lowered her mask, and after being asked again, she lowered it once more to complete the verification process.

Regarding this scene, online users raised concerns about fairness, questioning, “Why are the strict identity verification procedures for ordinary passengers more lenient for celebrities?” and “Isn’t this preferential treatment for famous people?”

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On June 15, a civil complaint was filed with the Security Management Department of Gimpo Airport’s Operations Division, requesting clarification and specific official guidance on the identity verification procedures for international departures at Gimpo Airport.

As the controversy spread, Korea Airports Corporation clarified, “There was no preferential treatment for celebrities,” and explained, “We apply the same standards to all passengers according to the Aviation Security Standard Procedures and verbally instruct passengers on site to remove masks or hats.”

Additionally, the corporation stated that all 14 airports nationwide, including Gimpo Airport, follow the Aviation Security Standard Procedures and conduct the same identity verification as Incheon International Airport. Passengers are verbally instructed to remove any items covering their faces, and additional requests are made if identification remains difficult.

The corporation also announced plans to supplement the official guidance on passenger identity verification procedures through various means, such as posting on the website, to prevent recurrence and reduce confusion among travelers.

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