"30-Year-Old Opens Aircraft Door 'Because I Wanted to Get Off Quickly,' Arrest Warrant Issued (Comprehensive)"

The police have requested an arrest warrant for Lee (33), who opened the aircraft door at approximately 213 meters (700 feet) altitude just before landing at Daegu Airport after departing from Jeju Airport, causing panic among passengers.

The Daegu Dongbu Police Station applied for Lee's arrest warrant on the afternoon of the 27th on charges including violation of the Aviation Security Act. The police stated, "Lee's crime is serious, and there is a risk of flight, so we judged it necessary to secure custody."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee is accused of opening the emergency exit door just before landing on an Asiana Airlines flight from Jeju Airport to Daegu Airport at around 12:35 PM the previous day. According to the police, Lee stated, "I have been under stress after recently losing my job," and "I felt suffocated before the plane landed and wanted to get off quickly, so I opened the door."

Lee refused to make any statements after being urgently arrested by the police the previous day but revealed the motive for the crime as the investigation continued. It is known that no other motives were disclosed.

At the time of the incident, Lee engaged in dangerous behavior such as opening the door and hanging onto the adjacent wall but was subdued by the crew and passengers.

Lee's disturbance at approximately 213 meters altitude caused extreme anxiety among the passengers. Nine people showed symptoms such as difficulty breathing and received treatment at a hospital.

According to Article 23 of the Aviation Security Act, passengers who operate doors, exits, or equipment inside an aircraft can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is investigating Asiana Airlines regarding possible aircraft defects and whether the crew followed safety protocols.

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