Teenager Causes Disturbance by Opening Airplane Emergency Exit: "Felt Like I Was Being Attacked"

Published 20 Jun.2023 15:46(KST)

Incheon District Court to Conduct Warrant Hearing on 20th Afternoon
Police Investigation Fails to Reveal Clear Motive for Crime

A teenage male who caused a disturbance on a passenger plane by attempting to forcibly open the emergency exit door during flight stated on the 20th that he "felt attacked" at the time of the incident.

The Incheon District Court is conducting a pre-trial detention hearing (warrant review) for A (19), who is charged with violating the Aviation Security Act, starting from 2 p.m. today.

Arriving at the court by police van for the detention hearing, A lowered his mask below his chin, exposing his face.

In response to reporters' questions such as "Why did you try to open the emergency door on the passenger plane?" and "Did you not know it was dangerous?", A answered, "I felt like I was being attacked by the power structure of the Republic of Korea." When asked, "(During the police investigation) why did you ask the investigator how many life jackets were on the plane?" he said, "I felt like I was being attacked."

A teenage male suspect accused of attempting to open an emergency door on a passenger plane heading to Incheon International Airport is lowering his mask while entering the Incheon District Court on the afternoon of the 20th to undergo a pre-arrest detention hearing.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

A is accused of causing a disturbance on a Jeju Air passenger plane that departed from Cebu Airport in the Philippines around 5:30 a.m. the previous day, heading to Incheon International Airport, by attempting to open the emergency door. About an hour after takeoff, he exhibited unusual behavior such as looking around restlessly and expressing discomfort, and tried several times to open the emergency door before being restrained by flight attendants and other passengers.

During the police investigation, A reportedly rambled, asking the investigator questions like "How many life jackets were on the plane?" and "If the emergency door is opened, will all the flight attendants be fired?" but did not provide a clear motive for his actions.