Police Identify 70-Year-Old American Suspect for Bringing Live Ammunition Onboard at Incheon Airport

The suspect who brought two live bullets onto a Korean Air passenger flight from Incheon to Manila, Philippines on the 10th was confirmed to be an American in his 70s.

On the 21st, the Incheon Airport Police Unit announced that they had applied for an arrest warrant for the American, Mr. A, on charges of violating the Aviation Security Act.

The police also booked security screening officer Mr. B, affiliated with a subsidiary of Incheon International Airport Corporation, without detention on the same charges for failing to detect the live bullets.

Mr. A is accused of bringing two 9mm pistol bullets onto the Korean Air passenger flight departing Incheon Airport for Manila, Philippines on the 10th.

Mr. B is accused of improperly searching Mr. A’s bag at the baggage screening area of Terminal 2 at Incheon Airport on the same day.

Incheon International Airport [Photo by Asia Economy]

The National Forensic Service analyzed the bullets and found no genetic material, but the police identified Mr. A as the suspect after reviewing X-ray images from the Incheon Airport screening area and surrounding CCTV footage.

The X-ray images of Mr. A’s bag showed three suspicious bullet-like objects, but since their shapes were unclear, the police are currently investigating under the assumption that two bullets were brought onto the aircraft.

It was investigated that Mr. A came to Korea from Las Vegas, USA, and on the day the bullets were discovered, he transferred at Incheon Airport before heading to the Philippines. The police have requested Interpol to arrest Mr. A.

A police official stated, "We expect the arrest warrant for Mr. A to be decided today," and added, "Currently, it is not confirmed which country Mr. A is in."

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