"So Many Passengers Like This in Korea"...Nearly 2,000 Cases of Smoking Onboard in 5 Years

2,557 Violations of the Aviation Security Act Since 2021
76.5% Due to Smoking Onboard; Cases of Door Manipulation Also Rising

It has been found that more than three out of every four violations of the Aviation Security Act identified over the past five years were related to smoking onboard an aircraft. There has also been an increase in dangerous acts such as the unauthorized manipulation of aircraft doors or emergency exits during flight.

According to data received by Assemblyman Hwang Hee of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on October 1, 2026, a total of 2,557 cases of violations of the "Passenger Cooperation Obligation" under the Aviation Security Act were recorded from 2021 through August 2026.

Of these, 1,955 cases—accounting for 76.5% of the total—involved smoking onboard. This was followed by 221 cases (8.6%) of disruptive behavior such as verbal abuse or noise during flight or while on the ground. There were 105 cases (4.1%) of interfering with or harming the duties of aviation security screening staff or access control officers, and 101 cases (4.0%) of acts that caused sexual humiliation.

Unauthorized manipulation of doors, emergency exits, or aircraft equipment was detected in 63 cases (2.5%), while acts of assault, threats, or fraud accounted for 44 cases (1.7%).

Of particular concern is the rapidly increasing number of unauthorized manipulations of doors, emergency exits, or equipment, which could potentially lead to major accidents. While there were no recorded cases in 2021 and 2022, the number rose to 5 in 2023, 15 in 2024, and 28 in the previous year.

The total number of violations of the cooperation obligation also increased—from 86 cases in 2021, to 279 in 2022, 566 in 2023, and 669 in 2024. In the previous year, 616 cases occurred, and 341 cases were reported by August this year.

By Korean airline, Korean Air recorded the highest number of violations at 1,032 cases, followed by Asiana Airlines with 453 cases, Trinity Airlines with 211 cases, Air Busan with 182 cases, Jin Air with 179 cases, and Jeju Air with 138 cases.

Assemblyman Hwang stated, "Violations of the Aviation Security Act are serious crimes that threaten the safety of flight and are directly connected to the lives of passengers," emphasizing, "It is urgent to establish practical legal and institutional measures to secure in-flight safety, protect crew members and passengers, and prevent recurrence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.