Investigation underway for assault and coercion allegations
The Incheon Airport Police Department announced on the 16th that they have initiated an internal investigation (known as “Naesa”) into the bodyguards of actor Byun Woo-seok (33), who sparked controversy over the “Imperial Bodyguard” issue. The police are currently investigating whether assault and coercion charges can be applied to three out of six security personnel who guarded Byun during his departure on the 12th.
Furthermore, the police are looking into whether the security personnel who guarded Byun engaged in activities such as controlling the escalator movement of regular passengers within the security area (airside), inspecting passports and boarding passes, or emitting strong flashes at the lounge entrance, to see if there could be charges of obstructing lounge operations.
Incheon International Airport is designated as a grade-A security facility by the government. However, the Incheon International Airport Corporation, responsible for airport security, stated on that day that “Security is under the jurisdiction of the police, not us.” The security company that guarded Byun stated in a call with the newspaper, “It is an airport building, how can we do it as we please without consultation? We proceeded with the security under consultation due to concerns for personal or public harm.”
In response, the Incheon International Airport Corporation stated, “Airport security should be coordinated with the airport police, not just through consultation with Incheon Airport.” Nevertheless, the general security at Incheon Airport is managed by a company called “Incheon International Airport Security,” a subsidiary of the Incheon International Airport Corporation. The Incheon Airport Police Department, under the National Police Agency, stated, “The police only guard designated national security targets such as the president, and not individuals in the airport security zone.”
Byun returned to Incheon Airport after finishing his foreign schedule that day. The number of private security guards assigned to him was reduced by half, and there were no visible actions such as setting up separate fences as during his departure. Byun entered the immigration area around 7:10 PM with a calm expression.