In response to the recent controversy surroinding the identity verification method used during IVE Jang Wonyoung's departure from Gimpo International Airport, MyDaily reported that the Korea Airport Corporation has announced they will significantly strengthen procedural guides for passengers.
On the 16th, the corporation announced that they would further strengthen passenger guidance on identity verification procedures through its official website and various channels. This measure serves as the corporation's official response to both the recent controversy surrounding Jang Wonyoung's attitude during identity verification while departing for Shanghai, China, and the related civil complaint filed by a citizen.
Previously, while departing through Gimpo Airport on May 30, Jang Wonyoung was asked by a security officer to verify her identity. Rather than completely removing her mask, she appeared to lower it slightly while keeping it hooked over her ear. Videos and photos of the moment quickly spread across online communities and social media, sparking debate among netizens whether her behavior was appropriate.
As the controversy grew, a formal civil complaint was filed with the Security Management Department of Gimpo Airport's Operations Divisions on the 15th, requesting for the identity verification standards at the international departure terminal to be clarified and that official guidelines for passengers to be made more specific.
In response, the Korea Airports Corportaion clarified that all 14 airports it manages nationwide, including Gimpo Airport, strictly follow the government's Aviation Security Standard Procedures and implement identity verification procedures at the same exact level as Incheon Internation Airport.
The corporation stated:
"During security screening and identity verification, passengers are verbally instructed to remove all items that may cover their faces, including hats, masks, and sunglasses."
They added:
"However, if a passenger only partially lowers their mask, they can still be cleared if the staff determined that matching with the ID photo and visual identification can be performed without difficulty. If identification is difficult to do or unclear, passengers are strongly requested to remove their mask completely."
