Lee Hak-jae, president of Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), resigned four months before his term ended, the corporation said on the 23rd. Lee, a three-term former lawmaker, was appointed to a three-year term as president during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. His original term runs through June 19.
Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) said on the 23rd that "Lee will tender his resignation on the 24th and hold a farewell ceremony on the 25th." Lee is said to be running as the People Power Party candidate for Incheon mayor in the local elections in June.
Earlier, at last year's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport briefing, Lee argued with President Lee Jae-myung over airport security screening procedures. At the time, President Lee said, "Is it true that if you slip a $100 bill in like a bookmark, it won't be caught by airport screening?" When Lee could not answer immediately and tried to respond while looking at written materials, the president noted, "Please don't just read what was written for you."
Lee later criticized on his social media, saying, "Because of this incident, the whole world learned the 'fact that if you hide dollars in a bookmark, they won't be detected.'" He also held a press conference and said, "Comprehensive opening inspections fall under the jurisdiction of the Korea Customs Service's customs offices and are not matters for the airport to organize and implement." Afterward, a complaint was filed alleging that Lee abused his personnel authority to strip some department heads of their positions, and police have launched an investigation.