Actor Byeon Woo-seok departs from Incheon International Airport on July 12 for a fan meeting in Hong Kong, during which his security team allegedly applied excessive security measures against fans. Captured from Instagram

International Airport Corporation said it filed a complaint Wednesday against a private security firm over allegations of excessive security for actor Byeon Woo-seok.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has also launched an investigation to determine if there were any human rights violations.

The airport's security team lodged a complaint with the Incheon Airport Police against the security firm responsible for handling Byeon's protection.

The corporation is examining whether the actions of Byeon's security personnel on July 12, including controlling airport gates and inspecting passengers' tickets without authorization, constitute abuse of power or coercion.

Separately, the police have already initiated a pre-investigation into the security guards involved in the incident.

It is known that three out of the six guards who protected Byeon on that day are under investigation. These guards were accused of threatening behavior, including using flashlights to prevent fans from approaching.

The police are reviewing whether charges, such as assault, coercion, obstruction of business, or violations of security protocols, are applicable in this case.

The filing of the complaint came after Lee Hag-jae, the CEO of Incheon Airport Corporation, apologized on July 17 at a National Assembly hearing, acknowledging the corporation's failure to detect inappropriate actions by the security firm.

He criticized the guards' actions, such as inspecting tickets and using flashlights, as unlawful. The corporation plans to develop guidelines for the conduct of private security firms at the airport and consider punitive measures for any violations.

A security guard for actor Byeon Woo-seok shines a bright light on other passengers using the lounge at Incheon International Airport. Captured from X

Separate investigation by Human Rights Commission

The NHRCK is also investigating the incident. On July 14, a complaint was filed by an unidentified person requesting a thorough investigation into potential human rights violations related to Byeon's security measures.

Initially, it was uncertain if the NHRCK could investigate as the complaint was against a private security firm, which typically falls outside its jurisdiction.

However, after the complainant changed the target to the airport's security team, the investigation commenced.

The NHRCK is expected to verify whether the airport security team pre-approved or coordinated with the security firm's actions.

The firm claimed that the gate control and ticket inspections were conducted in coordination with airport security for safety reasons, a claim the corporation denied.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.