Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) said on the 12th that "16 homeless people are staying at the airport," adding that it "will ask them to leave voluntarily and support their self-reliance."
The statement came after it became known that the corporation had asked homeless people inside the airport to leave, and after the civic group Homeless Action said at a news conference that day that it is concerned about "infringement of the rights of homeless people and hasty measures."
Article 56 of the Airport Facilities Act defines homelessness inside the airport as a prohibited act. It allows the airport operator to stop violations and order those involved to leave.
The corporation said, "Some homeless people are causing passenger inconvenience while using amenities along passenger routes, leading to complaints." It said 24 complaints related to homeless people were filed from January to July this year. The complaints reportedly included "There is a stench from a place where a homeless person has piled up trash," "They are occupying cafe seats," and "They hurl insults at travelers and shout loudly."
The corporation said, "We are not unconditionally demanding forced evictions of homeless people, and we are working with local governments and related agencies that provide tailored support so homeless people can regain their health and return to society." It added, "We are continuously guiding and encouraging participation in policies that can provide practical help to homeless people, such as temporary housing and job support linked to the self-reliance institution 'House Opening Tomorrow,' and the basic livelihood guarantee in coordination with local governments."
It also said, "We are working to expand support tailored to the characteristics of each situation of homeless people by partnering with mental health welfare centers to provide professional counseling, diagnosis, and treatment."