"Honey Not Allowed": Lifeline for Diabetes Patient Blocked at Court Security Checkpoint

Comprehensive Ban on Food Entry
Court: "Prohibited Due to Risk of Concealed Poisons, May Be Left with Security with Prior Approval"
Patient Group: "Recognize Emergency Medical Supplies"

A man in his late 40s, referred to as Mr. A, had his honey confiscated at the security checkpoint in front of the courtroom when he came to court to attend his trial. Mr. A has type 1 diabetes. Because he never knows when he might experience hypoglycemic shock, he always carries honey with him. For him, honey is a "lifeline." Mr. A explained, "Honey is not a snack, but an emergency life-support medical item that saves my life." However, the court security officer told him, "According to the guidelines, you are not allowed to bring it into the courtroom." He wanted to show his medical certificate, but it was difficult to submit it immediately as he had to attend his trial.

The Law Times.

According to the National Health Insurance Service, the number of type 1 diabetes patients in Korea has been steadily increasing in recent years. The number of patients was approximately 44,753 in 2021, about 45,077 in 2022, around 48,855 in 2023, and more than 52,671 in 2024.

The Korea Type 1 Diabetes Association argues that "emergency life-support medical items should be recognized as permitted items for entry." Kim Miyeong, president of the Korea Type 1 Diabetes Association, told The Law Times, "Sugars for hypoglycemia management are not simply snacks," and added, "Honey and other sugars used to treat hypoglycemia should be recognized as 'emergency life-support medical items' and explicitly listed as permitted items for entry into courtrooms." Kim further explained, "People with type 1 diabetes carry sugars in forms that can be taken even into public baths or swimming pools," and emphasized, "Even if food is generally prohibited, exceptions should be made for medical items."

Court authorities prohibit entry of food items due to risks such as the possibility that poisons could be disguised as food. An official from the National Court Administration explained, "Prohibited items for entry into courtrooms include not only knives, firearms, flammable substances, and noxious materials, but also any tangible or intangible items that could pose a threat to human life or body," and added, "Poisons could be disguised as beverages and brought in, and containers holding such substances could be used as projectiles, so, in accordance with each court's internal security work regulations, entry is generally prohibited."

The official continued, "Even though food is prohibited under the security work regulations, in cases like this, where a visitor has a special and unavoidable need to possess such an item, it may be possible to reach a compromise. With prior approval from the court, the visitor could leave the sugar with the court security officer and take it as needed."

In the United States and the United Kingdom, if there is a medical necessity, people are allowed to carry beverages or medications. The United States Supreme Court provides information on its website about items prohibited inside the court building, such as food and beverages. At the bottom of the list of prohibited items, it is specified that "Supreme Court Police have the authority to grant exceptions for medically necessary or otherwise essential items, even if they are otherwise prohibited."

The UK government website (GOV.UK) also provides information on items that may be brought into court or tribunal buildings. Unopened packs or cans of beverages and drinks in bottles or cups with lids are permitted, but drinks in glass bottles are not allowed. If a beverage has been opened or is in a cup without a lid, the security officer may ask the visitor to drink some to prove it does not contain poison or other harmful substances. Prescription medications are also permitted, but only if the medication has a pharmacist's label with the visitor's name and the date of issue, and only after verification by the security officer.

Kim Jisoo, The Law Times Reporter

※This article is based on content supplied by Law Times.

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