Teen Addicted to Philopon Attempts to Open Passenger Plane Door Mid-Flight... Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

by Park Haesook

Published 20 Oct.2023 13:42(KST)

A teenage passenger who caused a disturbance on a flight while addicted to philopon and threatened to forcibly open the emergency exit was sentenced to prison.

Judge Hong Jun-seo of the Criminal Division 5 at Incheon District Court sentenced 18-year-old A to three years in prison on the 20th during the sentencing hearing, charging him with violating the Aviation Security Act and the Narcotics Control Act for psychotropic substances. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of a drug addiction treatment program.

Judge Hong stated, "The defendant, while addicted to philopon, attempted to open the aircraft's emergency door, putting many passengers at risk," adding, "I have no choice but to impose a prison sentence to strictly punish him." However, he explained the sentencing by saying, "Considering that he was a juvenile at the time of the crime and a first-time offender with no prior criminal record."

A was arrested and indicted for causing a disturbance on a Jeju Air passenger plane departing from Cebu Airport in the Philippines to Incheon International Airport at around 5:30 a.m. on June 19. About an hour after takeoff, he continuously tried to forcibly open the emergency exit and was subdued by flight attendants and other passengers.

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Investigations revealed that A had taken 1.6 grams of philopon twice in Cebu before boarding the plane and committed the crime due to temporary delusions caused by acute philopon intoxication.