Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) said it would roll out measures following controversy over group Ive member Jang Won-young's identity verification procedure at the airport.
Previously, when verifying identity, airport staff only verbally asked passengers to remove masks, hats and sunglasses, but the core change will be to give prior notice through website announcements and on-site signage at the airport.
On the 16th, according to Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), the corporation is reviewing ways to prepare identity verification guidance language and procedures that can be applied uniformly at 14 airports nationwide, including Gimpo Airport, Gimhae Airport and Jeju Airport. Although a specific implementation date has not been set, it plans to inform passengers of the details soon via the website and by installing on-site guidance notices.
A Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) official said, "We are proceeding in a direction that can be applied uniformly at airports nationwide," and added, "We plan to strengthen prior guidance that asks passengers to remove items such as masks, hats and sunglasses for identity verification."
Earlier, controversy arose on online communities over a video of Jang Won-young departing from Gimpo International Airport. On the 30th of last month, Jang underwent identity verification by an airport staffer while departing through Gimpo Airport for a schedule in Shanghai, China.
In the released video, Jang lowers her mask and lifts her hat to show her face, then puts them back on. When the staffer then requested additional confirmation, she lowered her mask again and proceeded through. Some criticized Jang for not fully complying with the identity verification procedure.
A civil complaint was also filed through the National Petition system asking for clearer guidance on identity verification standards at the international departures hall of Gimpo Airport. It said the actual operating standards for identity verification procedures should be reflected more specifically in on-site work processes.
Under Article 15-3 of the current Aviation Security Act, airport operators must verify that an aircraft passenger matches their identification. However, detailed standards on removing items such as masks and hats are not specified.
Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) is said to have determined that there was no problem with how the staffer who verified Jang Won-young's identity handled the job itself.
At Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), identity is verified by comparing the ID photo with the actual face in accordance with the "Aviation Security Standard Procedures," and when it is difficult for the screener to determine, passengers have been asked to remove items such as masks, hats and sunglasses. If the face can be compared sufficiently, the passenger may proceed, and the same standards apply to both general passengers and public figures, according to KAC.
A Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) official said, "We have already been providing verbal guidance on identity verification procedures on site," and added, "We will strengthen website and on-site guidance so that passengers can know the procedures in advance."